Lord David Blunkett bust in situ at the House of Lords. Placed on a table with an ornate backdrop. The bust is head and partial shoulders wearing a collar and tie.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day: Lord Blunkett's bust unveiled at RSBC’s Life Without Limits Centre

To mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day, RSBC is delighted to celebrate the recent unveiling of a striking bronze bust of Lord David Blunkett at our Life Without Limits Centre - a powerful celebration of accessibility, representation and possibility for blind and partially sighted people.

The sculpture, created by renowned sculptor Frances Segelman, was previously housed in Parliament and now has a new home at RSBC, where it can inspire the children, young people, families, supporters and partners who visit the Centre.

Frances Segelman, Vice-President of Fight for Sight, first created the bust in 2022 during a live “speed sculpting” event at the House of Lords. In front of an audience, she completed the original sculpture in just two hours, before it was later cast in bronze.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day is about increasing understanding of access and inclusion for disabled people; but its message reaches far beyond technology. It reminds us that accessibility should be built into every part of life: public spaces, culture, education, employment and the way we tell stories about leadership and achievement.

What makes this piece particularly meaningful is that it is fully accessible. Visitors are able to experience the sculpture through touch as well as sight, reflecting the importance of making art and shared spaces inclusive for people with vision impairment.

Lord Blunkett’s life and career have helped challenge assumptions about what blind and partially sighted people can achieve. Bringing this sculpture to the Life Without Limits Centre feels especially fitting: a place dedicated to helping blind children and young people build confidence, independence and ambition for the future.

The unveiling was a proud moment for RSBC and a timely reminder that accessibility is not an add-on. It is about belonging, participation and visibility; and about ensuring every blind and partially sighted child can grow up knowing they have the right to live a life without limits.



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