Foundation grant recipients to work togetherGrants made separately in response to requests from Reading University's College of Estate Management and the Vassall Centre Trust have led the two to collaborate on planning a series of workshops. The Vassall Centre Trust provides affordable barrier-free workspace for disabled people and voluntary organisations working in the disability field (see News, 5 June 2007). Reading University has an inter-disciplinary research group called Inclusive Environments that works with a charity of the same name to promote equality and diversity by ensuring that living and working environments take account of the requirements of all people. The Ove Arup Foundation's recent grant to Reading University of £12,500 was accompanied by an encouragement to liaise with The Vassall Centre, since the University's emphasis on the briefing process appeared to complement the Centre's interest in the 'nuts and bolts' of inclusive design. The two parties have now agreed to run their projects jointly. "We are very pleased to have brokered this combination of expertise and resources", says Foundation Trustee Turlogh O'Brien. "The Vassall Centre's first-hand practical experience of working with disabled people and the University's greater resources and established networks across the built environment industry make them natural partners. Both organisations have been working in the field for a number of years and their relationship should lead to valuable insights and recommendations."
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