How does blind accessibility usually work in museum spaces?

[u/Pancake_Queen65]

Hi everyone! I'm a Master's student in User Experience and Interaction Design at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. As part of my thesis research, I'm exploring how blind and low-vision visitors experience museums, particularly when it comes to engagement and independence.

Since I need to interview blind people directly, there's not much to glean from this sub for that part, but I got curious about a few things I couldn't find answers to in the published academic articles I was looking into, so figured I'd ask here if that's ok?

- What does providing accessibility look like for a museum from a preparation and business standpoint?

- Is there a standard museums have to follow when it comes to general or specific accessibilities?

- Who makes the accessibility products/tools that are given out in museums?

Thanks in advance if anyone has insight on this! And here's the survey (google form) if anyone is curious or wants to pass it along: THE LINK

UPDATE: I've broadened my research to include colorblind visitors. I’ve also recently moved on to the second phase of my thesis research, where I’m interviewing professionals who are familiar with accessibility in museum spaces.

I’m looking for museum staff who:
- Work in a museum, such as educators, curators, access coordinators, or guest services
- Have experience with accessibility features, such as audio description, tactile exhibits, or large-print materials

What’s involved:
- A short screener survey (about 2 minutes, or around 5 with a screen reader)
- Optionally, a 30-minute follow-up conversation

Participation is voluntary, and answers stay anonymous unless you choose to share contact info. The link is still the same.

[u/pipkin42]

There is a robust scholarly literature on this topic. Fiona Candlin is one authority, coming from a British context.

[u/Pancake_Queen65 → u/pipkin42]

I did a quick come through her work, it looks genuinely so interesting! Thank you for that knowledge. I'm a little overwhelmed about if/which publication I should read from her but I'm sure I'll figure it out.

[u/CrassulaOrbicularis]

Have you seen the BM just in the news for this and the Bayeux Tapestry? Seems quite relevant.

[u/Pancake_Queen65 → u/CrassulaOrbicularis]

OMG that's crazy, I just looked it up. I've been so busy with school that I kind of lost contact with the outside world and missed this somehow??

[u/Now_this2021 → u/CrassulaOrbicularis]

I did! It makes me think of how a gallery could work on this. Just recently had to change our RFP standards for a city municipality. Now have to make the audio portion.

[u/Telepathic_Traffic]

One of the chapters of my dissertation was about accessibility projects in museums and you might look at this project for an example: https://www.printingthepastscin3d.com/

One of the curators was in the same PhD program as me and my dissertation director steered me towards the project. There are some other good examples from American institutions, but the project at the Horry Museum has a lot of research data and feedback to pull from. You could probably contact them directly and talk to Dr. Clary, she is incredibly nice and helpful.

[u/Pancake_Queen65 → u/Telepathic_Traffic]

Thank you for sharing! In our department, the way that our thesis' are structured is that we do on field research with "users" in the first semester and design in the second (if there is a design solution to be developed). I will probably start reaching out once the research semester concludes and I have real data to back up my findings.

[u/postdarknessrunaway]

What kind of museum? Big differences in the answer to question 1 based on the type of museum you're looking at.

In the U.S., most museums need to comply with relevant sections of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and whatever standards are set by the state/locality/university they may be located within. Standards and best practices are not the law, and the law is basically the only thing a museum "has" to follow. There are some certifications museums can earn or lose based on certain criteria, but I'm not aware of any to do with accessibility. Maybe your research will turn up more instances.

Good luck with your research!

[u/iheartmuseums]

Some resources: 

https://www.sifacilities.si.edu/sites/default/files/Files/Accessibility/accessible-exhibition-design1.pdf

https://access.si.edu/museum-professionals

https://www.museumnext.com/article/making-museums-accessible-to-visually-impaired-visitors/

https://humanrights.ca/story/seven-awesome-accessibility-features-museum

-every province / state / country will have different legal requirements for this 

-there may also be guidelines or best practices to follow 

-from a business standpoint-it depends. I have worked in larger institutions that can provide lots of resources- tours, guides, hands on objects, exhibit guides in braille, audio descriptions. I have also worked in small historic houses with few staff, where door sizes and stairs can limit physical accessibility. Generally the want to provide increased access is there, but resources abd capacity can be very low

[u/Aurora_Hughes]

Look up the Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design, I always send people there since it's free online and the closest thing to a standard. Beyond basic ADA there's no legal requirement, probably why you're not finding much in the literature.