I work at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale, Ar.

I'm proud to say that we work very hard to provide accommodations for those
with disabilities.  We have no steps in our exhibit hall but a number of
ramps to help us create different levels and the rest of our public spaces
in the museum building are on the same level.  Our basement is closed to the
public but we still have elevator access to it so we can move large objects
(also we have a few people on our staff with disabilities, this is out of a
full time staff of 8 and part-time of 6).

Our exhibit designer constantly rechecks his measurements to make sure that
wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers will fit through all the openings in the
exhibit hall and fortunately we have a wheelchair available to us to check
again once exhibits have been installed.

We have 6 historical buildings in our collection that are dotted around the
property for the public to tour.  All but 2 are wheelchair accessible.  Our
grounds have walking paths that are wide enough for any wheelchairs,
strollers, and walkers.  Where stairs have to be used alternate routes are
also provided for those who need them.

I will say that even though this has been the state of this museum since I
started working here, I'm sure it has not always been so.  It takes time to
come up with plans to accommodate those with disabilities while maintaining
the historical integrity of buildings.  It also takes time and money to
implement those plans.  So I would say above all patience and an open mind
is needed.

Heather Marie


>From: John Martinson <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: People with disabilities
>Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 08:01:03 -0600
>
>Working in small museums, in fact visiting other size museums, there is
>often a neglect for people with disabilities and seniors who are unable to
>enter museums, see exhibits, living history sites, handle stairs, etc.   If
>your museum is not accessible to such people, it should be part of your
>long-term strategies to make your museum or site more friendly to all
>patrons . . . or should it?
>
>I have often heard that museums do not want to put a ramp up to a historic
>building, since it would destroy the historic, photographic image and/or
>ambiance of the
>structure or site.  What is your opinion?
>
>I thought the following site would be of value:
>
>http://nadc.ucla.edu/DesigningAccessiblePrograms.htm<http://nadc.ucla.edu/DesigningAccessiblePrograms.htm>
>
>John
>
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