Inclusion in the museum: Accessibility for everyone on the way!

Inclusion in the museum: Accessibility for everyone on the way!

The Bernau Museum recently hosted the Brandenburg Museum Association’s “Inclusion & Accessibility” workshop. Representatives from various museums came together to exchange information about existing offerings and needs. A particular focus was on practical experience: the participants simulated limitations using a cane and special glasses in order to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities. How Barnim Current reports, historical buildings and museum pieces were explored in the Museum am Steintor in order to promote inclusion.

Dr. Manuela Gander from the Museum Association emphasized in this workshop that it was not just about creating a fully barrier-free museum, but above all about adapting museum educational offerings for all age groups and users. This includes measures such as direct addressing, labels in simple language and tactile options for people with visual impairments. The museum director Franziska Radom has put the suggestions into her to-do list and is already planning concrete improvements.

Planned measures and challenges

The Bernau museums are not entirely barrier-free due to their historic buildings, but improvements are now to be implemented. Specific projects that will be implemented this year include optimizing exhibition labels, adjusting lighting and using audio guides. The “Inclusion and Diversity” specialist group has been supporting museums like the one in Bernau to develop into inclusive and barrier-free institutions since 1995. The focus is on annual workshops to promote professional exchange and advice.

To date, the focus of these efforts has been primarily on opening museums to people with disabilities. In view of the changes that the corona pandemic has brought about in the public sphere, the requirement for inclusion and accessibility is becoming increasingly broader. Doris Rothauer, author of the MuseumsGuide Inclusive, notes how important access to art and culture is for social development and that no one should be excluded from this cultural participation. Universal human rights strongly emphasize this.

A comprehensive approach for everyone

Accessible museums have the task of breaking down physical, mental, social and intercultural barriers. This includes various aspects ranging from structural accessibility and exhibition design to service offerings and communication. People with mobility impairments need ramps, lifts and barrier-free toilets; hearing-impaired people visual information such as sign language; and visually impaired people need orientation aids with strong contrasts as well as tactile aids.

In order to ensure inclusive placement work, it is crucial to actively involve people with disabilities in the development of offers. Cooperations with social institutions and awareness training from associations for the disabled enable tailor-made offers that meet the needs of everyone. Cultural institutions that focus on diversity also benefit from the integration of technological tools that make access to art easier.

In this context, special seminars on audio description and interactive multimedia guides are important steps in the right direction. The positive developments in the area of ​​inclusion and accessibility are not only important for people with disabilities, but also enrich the museum experience for all visitors, regardless of origin, gender or age, and create an environment in which art and culture are accessible to everyone. The developments at the Bernau Museum could be a model for many other museums in Germany.