The museum accessibility spectrum: re-imagining access and inclusion

Abstract

"Drawing on contributions from international museum researchers and practitioners, artists, and activists, this volume challenges the notion of the core 'able' museum visitor and instead proposes all individuals are positioned on a multidimensional Accessibility Spectrum, which incorporates intersecting physical, sensory, neurodivergent, and social and cultural dimensions"--Page 4 of cover.

Contents

The museum accessibility spectrum : recognising the multidimensional access needs of all museum audiences / Dr Alison F. Eardley and Vanessa E. Jones -- Unpicking ableism and disablism in museums : why access should be for all / Dr Alison F. Eardley, Vanessa E. Jones, and Nevine Nizar Zakaria -- Feeling our way : anti-ableist provocations for the future of inclusive design in museums / Dr William Reed, Jessica Thom, Solomon Sekiv-Papasavva, and Dr Chloe Trainor -- Developing the gallery calm room : a journey of creating an accessible space for inclusion and well-being / Alicia Zang -- French 19th-century art writing as audio description : the case of Edouard Manet / Prof Hannah Thompson -- Seeing the deaf visitor : improving accessibility through a critical studies lens / Meredith Peruzzi -- Blundering into sensorial conversation / Dr Fayen Ke-Xiao d'Evie -- Social and cultural barriers to inclusion : class and race at the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood / Dr Charlotte Stark -- Going through the portal : permeable walls and immersive community engagements rooted in disability justice / Dr Syrus Marcus Ware -- What is a museum? Reframing the power dynamic between museums and audiences / Amparo Leyman Pino -- Stepping aside : a reflection on how museums can transfer power to communities, open up collections, and increase access through the creation of memory boxes / Katie Cassels and Charlotte Paddock -- The sacred cave of Kamukuwaká : enabling digital futures for Indigenous cultural heritage in the Amazonian Xingu / Thiago Jesus -- No laughing matter? Reimagining the statuette of a 'comic' actor with dwarfism at the British Museum / Dr Isabelle Lawrence -- Curating for change : how can D/deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent curators drive change in museums in terms of cultural representation and inclusive interpretation? / Esther Fox -- Inclusive design and accessibility : a methodology of perpetual evolution and innovation / Corey Timpson -- Cultural inclusion in times of crisis : old and new traumas / Dr Evgeniya Kiseleva-Alfferbach -- Museums for equality : combating prejudice, promoting human rights and practices of social inclusion in Egypt's museums / Dr Nevine Nizar Zakaria -- Social inclusion, cultural participation, and public ruptures at Iziko South African National Gallery : a look at Our Lady and Art of Disruption exhibitions / Dr Bongani Ndhlovu and Rooksana Omar -- Instigators of change : museums as inclusive, accessible, equitable, participatory hubs / Dr Alison F. Eardley and Vanessa E. Jones