Kids in Museums has launched a resource for museums and galleries that want to provide access to families with wheelchair users.
The wheelchair resource, which is available online as a downloadable PDF, focuses on physical access, covering everything from lifts, toilets and parking to signage, use of language and staff training.
It also recommends museums consider how they communicate accessibility to visitors and the representation of disabled visitors in displays.
“Families and young people tell us that some museums are much better than others at including and welcoming wheelchair users,” said Alison Bowyer, the executive director of Kids in Museums. “We also know that, until last year, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Taking Part statistics showed that children with a long-term illness or disability were significantly less likely to have visited a museum than their peers.
“A couple of years ago, we were challenged by a student and wheelchair user who asked where a museum would go if they wanted to find out how to engage with her. This resource aims to respond to these challenges.”
Kids in Museums has previously published an autism resouce and hopes to provide similar guides in the future.
“This resource is designed to offer museums practical, cost effective information, advice and examples of best practice to enable them to better welcome young wheelchair users,” Bowyer added.
The wheelchair resource includes links to organisations such as Scope and Changing Places that offer additional information and advice on accessibility, as well as museum-specific initiatives such as the Beamish Museum’s accessible bus.
Links
Kids in Museums wheelchair resource
The wheelchair resource, which is available online as a downloadable PDF, focuses on physical access, covering everything from lifts, toilets and parking to signage, use of language and staff training.
It also recommends museums consider how they communicate accessibility to visitors and the representation of disabled visitors in displays.
“Families and young people tell us that some museums are much better than others at including and welcoming wheelchair users,” said Alison Bowyer, the executive director of Kids in Museums. “We also know that, until last year, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Taking Part statistics showed that children with a long-term illness or disability were significantly less likely to have visited a museum than their peers.
“A couple of years ago, we were challenged by a student and wheelchair user who asked where a museum would go if they wanted to find out how to engage with her. This resource aims to respond to these challenges.”
Kids in Museums has previously published an autism resouce and hopes to provide similar guides in the future.
“This resource is designed to offer museums practical, cost effective information, advice and examples of best practice to enable them to better welcome young wheelchair users,” Bowyer added.
The wheelchair resource includes links to organisations such as Scope and Changing Places that offer additional information and advice on accessibility, as well as museum-specific initiatives such as the Beamish Museum’s accessible bus.
Links
Kids in Museums wheelchair resource
