The Museum Accessibility Spectrum: Re-imagining access and inclusion

The museum sector has a strong desire to improve access and inclusion. However, access initiatives around the world still tend to represent a small proportion of exhibition content and programming. This volume argues that what is hindering the progress of museums is the current ‘ableist’ model of access, which sets up a false binary distinction between an assumed nondisabled majority, and a disabled minority. We present an alternative view of access, called the museum Accessibility Spectrum. We argue that all individuals sit within the museum accessibility spectrum, which is itself made of multiple intersecting strands, each representing their own spectrums. These strands include, but are not limited to, physical, sensory, cognitive, social and cultural factors.

Drawing on contributors from international museum practitioners, artists, designers, researchers and activists, this book emphasizes the ways in which drawing on access provisions designed for and by disabled audiences, will enable museums to diversify audiences beyond those who have traditionally been excluded by the standard provision. Taken together, this volume aims to challenge thinking and offer ways in which museum professionals might grow and expand their practices to enable a future with truly inclusive, anti-ableist museums.