Many voices, making choices:Audiences with disabilities and museums

TitleReasons for study 1

• Almost 20%, or 1 in 5, Australians have some form of disability

• People with disabilities have generally positive view of the arts

• Potential to increase visitor numbers:– they visit in groups– strong networks & word of mouth

• Huge amount of literature/guidelines available:– yet little from the perspective of audiences with

disabilities themselves– none in museums sector in Australia

TitleReasons for study 2

• Better ways to meet needs of disabled groups means all audiences benefit

TitleResearch method

• Literature Review• Focus Groups Sydney + Canberra:

– Mixed groups• physical disabilities• intellectual disabilities

– Deaf community– Carers– Mix of visitors and non-visitors

• Email survey• Workshops with range of museum staff/peak

body groups in Sydney/Canberra

TitleResearch issues 1

• Mixed groups:– heard from many different types of

disabilities– identified common issues from range of

perspectives– more enjoyable for participants– networking opportunities– learning experience for disability groups as

they hear experiences of others • Exceptions:

– carers, deaf culture, some intellectual

TitleResearch issues 2

• Sourcing the sample:– email & posting to websites

• people with disabilities are tech-savvy– word of mouth is key– use peak bodies– consultants that are credible within the community

• Participants:– identify as disabled– interested in museums (even if haven't visited)– able & comfortable to attend group discussion

TitleResearch issues 3

• Organising the research groups “tested” the capacity of each organisation to supply services for these groups:– parking & transport– location of rooms

• easy to find, no stairs

– catering– staff needed to be comfortable with people with disabilities

&/or had awareness training– signing receipts for payment

TitleResearch issues 4

• Intellectual disabilities:– involved in mixed group to give different

perspective– Year 10 high school group (Canberra):

• valuable experience for skills development & social integration

TitleGeneral findings

• Supportive of museums• Interested & frequent visitors if:

– something there they want to see– range of access services available

• See museums as excellent environments for learning, educational & social experiences with family and friends

• Knew of staff concerns about & problems with access, yet wanted these dealt with

TitleThey want to …

• Access museums on their own terms:– understand it is hard to visit alone but increases confidence

& self-esteem– choosing their own type of visiting experience gives them

independence– need good information/separate section on websites about

accessibility

“Having to book [parking] means having to make a commitment. It means you can’t think ‘Oh, I’ll just go to the museum today’. [I want to be] flexible and spontaneous.”

TitleBarriers

• Physical:– include whether possible to independently

enter & enjoy the museum on their terms• Failure to provide specific services (e.g.

captioning)• Staff attitudes, awareness & training• Cost:

– admission, transport, food, carers’ costs• Uninteresting, irrelevant topics & content

TitleConclusions

•Museums have much to offer audiences with disabilities•Museums are being asked to open their doors, invite people with disabilities in and let them enter independently, assured of good access, and with the chance to make their own choices about their museum experience in a respectful, enjoyable and stimulating environment

TitleAll audiences want

• Respect for them as individuals• Choice• Welcoming atmosphere from trained & aware;

friendly & knowledgeable staff:– both front & back of house

• See themselves reflected in programs, exhibitions, collections & staffing:– the “work” of the museum

• Active & varied learning experiences• Involvement• Contemporary:

– in communication & interpretation modes– content/issues covered that are relevant & current

TitleCurrent work

• NOVA Employment Group (Sydney):• develop skills in answering questions, completing

worksheets, reading, writing & talking• increase sense of social integration• develop capacity to visit museums• a way of earning money – effort and reward• provide trainees and job coaches an enjoyable,

social experience that will encourage them to return

http.//www.australianmuseum.net.au/

amarc/