The following resources represent a review of readily available published information in regards to museum accessibility. The publications are organized under the following topic headings: guidelines for designing accessible services and programs, model accessible programs and museums, disability related resources and materials, design resources (exhibition design; signage and labels; accessible museums; surveys, and studies conducted on museum accessibility). The list of resources is provided for information purposes only, and does not denote endorsement by the National Arts and Disability Center.

1. American Association of Museums. (1993). The Accessible Museum: Model Programs for Accessibility for Disabled and Older People. Washington, DC: American Association of Museums Bookstore. For ordering information http://www.aam-us.org/. As one of the more frequently used resources on museum accessibility, this publication profiles 19 American museums, including art, natural history and historic museums, that have developed innovative programs successfully addressing issues of accessibility. Specific examples are given of ways in which museums have made policy adjustments, facility changes, programmatic changes and additions in order to incorporate out reach and in-house programs serving people with disabilities and older adults. Although many of the model programs feature larger museums, modifications for smaller museums are often incorporated into the given information. The resource includes an extensive bibliography of other books and periodicals. It provides a great start in the initial process of generating ideas that best match the dynamics of your museum.

2.Gardner, L.Groff, G. (1989).What Museum Guides Need to Know: Access For Blind and Visually Impaired Visitors. New York, NY: American Foundation for the Blind. For ordering information http://www.afb.org/store This resource offers practical ideas of how to best serve visitors who are blind or visually impaired. Provides a training outline for museum professionals, a bibliography and guidelines for preparing large print, Braille, and cassette materials.

3. Majewski, J. (1987)..Part of Your General Public is Disabled: A Handbook For Guides in Museums, Zoos, and Historic Houses. Download Here. To date, this resource is probably the most widely used resource of its kind. Even though it was published in 1987, this guide offers a progressive stance of how thoughtful preparation in regards to general accessibility, can save time, ease anxieties of staff and visitors, and enhance the museums appeal to a more diverse audience. It is particularly useful in offering no-cost suggestions of how to adapt a tour to respond to the needs of certain disability groups (e.g., Mental Retardation, Learning Disabilities, Hearing, Visual and Mobility impairments, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Illness, Severe Communication Difficulties and Older Adults). Each section gives a brief description of the disability, effects of the disability to consider, terminology tips, procedures in case of an emergency, factors to consider (i.e., types of living situation, schooling) and practice exercises to check if your tour reflects careful adaptation in regards to a specific disability. This handbook comes with a corresponding video that is easy to

4. National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and National Endowment for the Arts (NASAA). (1994). Design for Accessibility: An Arts Administrator's Guide. Washington, DC: NASAA. For ordering information click here. This extensive working document offers suggestions on how best to comply with Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. It addresses ways of making access an integral part of an organization (staffing, budget, education, meetings, programs, etc.), legal requirements, and successful examples of efforts made by regional, state and local art groups. Major sections include: creating your organization design for accessibility; access education; networking and technical assistance; documenting, initiatives and resources. This document is rich in resources and information but is organizationally difficult to follow, especially if you are in the initial planning stages of creating a more accessible museum. It is a valuable resource if you have an idea of what you are looking for (i.e., specific

5. National Endowment for the Arts. (2003). Design for Accessibility: A Cultural Administrator's Handbook. Washington, DC:National Endowment for the Arts. For ordering information click here. Design for Accessibility: A Cultural Administrator's Handbook represents an update of the Arts Endowment's The Arts and 504 (1992) with additional information from the 700-page Design for Accessibility: An Arts Administrator's Guide produced by the Arts Endowment and NASAA in 1994. This resource is designed to help you not only comply with Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, but to assist you in making access an integral part of your organization's

6. Salmen, J. (1998).Everyone's Welcome: The Americans with Disabilities Act and Museums.Washington, DC: American Association of Museums Bookstore. Download here. This is a manual for museum professionals and designers to help them better understand the requirements for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It details the ADA requirements, and provides recommendations for voluntary compliance with the law, to ensure that museums communicate effectively with all visitors. The recommendations provided in this manual address concerns for visitors with a range of physical and learning disabilities. This manual is available in loose-leaf or three alternate formats: Braille, large-print, or audio.

7. Siller, M., Joffee, E. (1997). Reaching Out: A Creative Guide for Designing Cultural Programs and Exhibits for Persons Who are Blind and Visually Impaired. New York, NY: American Foundation for the Blind. For ordering information click here. This video and accompanying manual is a creative package for making information on cultural programs and facilities accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. Created especially for libraries, museums, historical societies, outdoor cultural facilities, corporations and everyone whose mission involves providing information to the community. Reaching Out offers practical design and program solutions. This timely package contains answers to the accessibility questions that challenge anyone who wants to provide enhanced access to information. Part 1 offers examples of accessibility programming and shows the interaction between visually impaired visitors and their environments in museums, libraries, and other cultural facilities. Part 2 describes how organizations can prepare and train their staff and volunteers to provide accessible environments and programs.

1.Tactual Museum was founded in 1984 and gives visually impaired people the opportunity to come in touch with ancient greek Culture. However, at the same time, it was realized that the ability to touch and feel the exhibits was an excellent new way of approaching the ancient greek civilization not only for blind but for sighted people, too.

2. Metropolitan Museum of Art is committed to making its collections, programs, information, premises, and services accessible to and inclusive of all audiences. For visitors with visual impairments, they touch tours, verbal imaging tours, large print and Braille labels, and workshops. Touch and Explore is an offsite program bringing art education to schools with visually impaired children, using raw materials and reproductions. A range of programs, including gallery talks, lectures, and family programs, are Sign Language interpreted on a regular basis. Lectures with Real Time captioning are also offered regularly. Discoveries are a weekend family program for people of all ages with developmental disabilities. Offsite Discoveries takes art and hands-on art activities to group homes for adults with developmental disabilities. The Metropolitan Museum of Art won the 2003 Museum Accessibility Award from the American Association of Museums for its Picture This workshop, a museum program designed for people with visual impairments. The workshops focus on part of the permanent collection or a special exhibition and include a wide range of accessible and engaging ’materials, tactile pictures and art activities.(212) 879-5500 ext.3561 or TTY: (212) 570-3828.

3. The Smithsonian Institution publishes Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design(1996). Geared toward the designer, it offers information on color, lighting, fonts, and type size for exhibits. The Smithsonian also offers Access: A Free Guide for Visitors with Disabilities with information on access features in each individual museum. In addition to publishing exemplary books, the Smithsonian Accessibility Program has done a superlative job of supporting access in its many museums. They produce outstanding training sessions throughout the staff and work closely with the development of each exhibit. The Sakler Gallery at the Smithsonian was the1998 winner of the AAM Access Award. Phone: (202) 786-2942 or TTY: (202) 786-2414.

4. The Legion of Honor Museum visitors with disabilities can prearrange tours with experienced Access Docents. Tours include one on which visitors who are blind may touch approximately ten of the museum's works of art. For popular exhibits, Access Days are designated for times when the museum is less crowded. There is a large print edition of the museum floor plan, and other materials in alternate formats are available on request. For selected temporary exhibitions, there is a large print edition of the label text for works of art. For the permanent collection, there is an audio tour and a printed edition of the recording for deaf visitors. Audio tours are also available for many temporary exhibitions. Sign language interpreters are provided with advanced notice. The museum is accessible to wheelchair users. Phone: (415) 750-7645, TTY: (415) 750-3509.

5. Queens Museum of Art has welcomed visitors with special needs to join in museum activities for more than a decade. With the intention of ArtAccess, the museum reaffirms its commitment to making its services accessible to all visitors including people with physical, visual, speech, hearing, learning, emotional, and developmental disabilities. ArtsAccess features guided gallery tours and art workshops that seek to maximize participation and make the museum experience more equitable for people with special needs. To aid visitors with disabilities, tours and workshops utilize the following aids: Tactile drawings, photographic enlargements, Braille and large print information, tactile models of

6. The Crocker Art Museum is a national historic landmark. They recently completed a rehabilitation of the building to ensure that it meets the ADA compliance. As part of their ArtAccess program to ensure the museum is barrier free, they will offer professional development for staff and training for docents focused on increasing accessibility for people with disabilities. Phone: (916) 264-5423 or Fax: (916) 264-7372.

7. Museum of Fine Arts offers ‘Feeling For Form,’ a program that provides access for visitors of all ages who are blind or have low vision. Volunteers are trained to introduce participants to selected objects in the Museum's collections. Listening devices are available for lectures and films—no reservations are needed. Also available are tours followed by art-making workshops and painting tours with audio description. Presentations in American Sign Language are also available for a selection of gallery tours, performances, and demonstrations. They were the 1995 winner of the AAM Accessibility Award.Phone: (617) 267-9300 or TTY: (617) 267-9703.

8. Museum of Modern Art won the 2000 Access Innovation in the Arts Award. This award was presented by the VSA Arts and Metropolitan Life Foundation to recognize the Museum for its innovations in developing programs to serve those who are blind and visually impaired. Touch Tours allow blind and partially sighted visitors to experience a selection of sculptures, paintings, and design objects from the collection. These special tours take place in the Museum's galleries. They are available to individuals or groups by appointment. Art courses for blind and partially sighted visitors featuring the work of influential modern and contemporary artists are held periodically at the Museum. Each class includes touch tours, tactile diagrams, enlarged color reproductions, and hands-onactivities. These courses are offered to children as well as adults. Phone: (212) 708-9864 or TTY: (212) 247-1230.

9. Museum of Science is wheelchair accessible, wheelchairs and electric scooters are available upon request. They offer Braille for specific exhibitions. The Museum has launched a pilot program featuring talking Signs, an infrared communications system which transmits audio messages to help visitors navigate the museum. Phone: (617) 723-2500 or TTY: (617) 589-0417.

1.Dayton Art Institute for Art offers an accessible internet museum tour of the institute's permanent collection presented through a variety of internet technologies for people of diverse abilities. Access Art provides all visitors with an informative and absorbing experience equal to or better than what they might have in the museum's galleries. The museum is wheelchair accessible, they offer touch tours for sculpture exhibits, sign language for hearing impaired individuals (must be requested in advance), and cell phone-like device that visually impaired persons can use to hear an audio description of an art piece. Phone: (937) 223-5277.

2. The Tate Digital Project has been designed for visually impaired people and aims to explore some of the ideas, innovations and working methods of Matisse and Picasso, two of the twentieth century's most influential artists. This project complemented the Matisse Picasso exhibition at Tate Modern in 2002, but was also intended to be a lasting resource supporting independent study and visits to Tate once the exhibition had closed. For that reason, works from the Tate Collection have been chosen where possible.

1. Communicating With and About Individuals with Disabilities resource listing includes books, articles, and videos that provide suggestions on how to communicate respectfully and sensitively with people with disabilities.

2. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. (1996). Volunteer's Who Produce Books: Braille, Cassette, Large Print. Washington, DC: This directory lists the names of volunteer groups and individuals that transcribe and record books and other reading materials for blind and physically handicapped

3. Universal Access addresses issues related to access to museum web sites by people with disabilities.

4. Visit National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities to obtain a resource sheet about disability related organizations in your state contact:

1. Arizona Checklist for Assessing Accessbility

1.How to Design with Colors that Contrast Effectively for People with Low Vision and Color Deficiencies provides information on how to design with colors that contrast.

2. Smithsonian Institution. (1996).Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design download at . This guide is presented as a working document in which creative resources are being tested in different combinations to find workable solutions. It outlines topics and provides diagrams/illustrations that serve to present the information in a clear and understandable manner. Sections include: guidelines and tools (exhibition content and items, label design and text, audiovisuals and interactive, circulation route, furniture, color, lighting, public programming spaces, emergency egress, and childrensenvironments); resources; glossary; and appendix (checklist for publications, language

1. Edman, P. (1992). Tactile Graphics. New York, NY: The American Foundation for the Blind. Order from the American Association of Museums Bookstore. For ordering information http://www.aam-us.org/. This comprehensive handbook is for anyone who needs to present visual information to individuals who are visually impaired or blind. The author demonstrates the production of drawings, tactile pictorial signs, photographs, diagrams, maps, charts and Braille usage symbols using tactile graphics.

2. Lang, K. (undated). Art for the Blind, Art a GoGo , accessed 4-22-03, is an online article that describes methods, resources and examples of programs that make museums accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired.

3. Metropolitan Museum of Art. (1995). Manual for Signs and Labels in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, NY: Metropolitan Museum of Art. For ordering information http://www.metmuseum.org This manual reflects the efforts of the Metropolitan Museums 504 Committee. The resource provides standards for signs and labels used in the Metropolitan Museum. The manual includes information on standards for legibility, production sequences, and checklist for accessible signage and guidelines for comprehension.

4. National Endowment for the Arts and the Graphic Artists Guild Foundation. (1993). Disabilities Access Symbols Project: Promoting Accessible Places and Programs. New York, NY: The Graphic Artists Guild Foundation. This package includes 12 graphic symbols designed to assist museums, state art agencies, performing arts facilities, and other arts organizations advertising that their programs are accessible to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. Available on camperia-ready glossy paper and on computer disks. Accompanied by an expanatory text.

5. Smithsonian Institution. (1996). Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design. Washington, DC: The Smithsonian Institution. Download at http://www.si.edu/opa/accessibility/exdesign/start.htm This guide is presented as a working document in which creative resources are being tested in different combinations to find workable solutions. It outlines topics and provides diagrams/illustrations that serve to present the information in a clear andunderstandable manner. Sections include: guidelines and tools (exhibition content and items, label design and, audiovisuals, circulation route, furniture, color, lighting, public programming spaces, emergency egress, and childrens environments); resources; glossary; and appendix (checklist for publications, language usage, access symbols, list of illustrations, production notes). Available in Braille, audiocassette and on disk.

Printer Friendly