I have a daughter in a wheelchair and feel that many historic houses and
museums have worked hard toward making things more accessible, but that
change is still needed in some areas.
To answer your question, yes I do believe that it should be a part of long
term plans to provide accessibility, and when doing this planning find
organizations in your community to assist you.  Have a person in a
wheelchair/with a disability go through your museum and then sit down and
discuss the pros and cons they faced.  What could help them have better
access, and what can you realistically do to help?  Those with disabilities
don't expect you to bend over backwards and redo your whole museum/area for
them,  just provide reasonable accomodation.


Robyn Langlie
Museum Technician
National Park Service
Alaska Regional Curatorial Center




>From: Harry Needham <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: People with disabilities
>Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 12:15:06 -0400
>
>Thank God for institutions like Heather Marie's; they are all too uncommon.
>
>I am both legally blind and deaf, so think I have some competence to speak
>for the handicapped. Further, prior to my late wife's death ten years ago,
>I
>generally had to take her around museums and historic sites in her
>wheelchair, so have an acute awareness of problems faced by those with
>limited mobility.
>
>Of all the handicapped people I know, NONE of them seriously expects old
>buildings, especially those of an historic nature, to be so extensively
>modified as to permit handicapped people complete access. All we ask is
>that
>the institution make an effort to let us have a visiting experience that
>allows us to appreciate the nature and character of the institution and its
>contents - and if that means missing a floor or a building, this is
>unfortunate, but we understand.
>
>The REAL problems facing handicapped people come NOT from historic
>buildings
>but from large, MODERN buildings where ignorant designers and other staff
>use lighting that is so dim that people with limited sight can't SEE things
>or trip over things. The same museums often feature signage and labels that
>grossly misses the excellent MINIMUM standards set by AAM. Try to read 10
>point regular Times Roman in black on a dark royal blue background in a
>dimly lit gallery! You don't  have to have retinitis pigmentosa to have
>problems. Or how about the paths through exhibits that are so narrow and
>have such difficult bends that steering a wheelchair becomes a nightmare?
>
>What's the solution? Very simple. When you are developing something -
>ANYTHING!!! - involve members of your local handicapped community. Get
>their
>ideas and let them try out yours. You will soon see (no pun intended) where
>the problems are.
>
>Sadly, very, VERY few heritage institutions ever bother to do so.
>
>--
>Harry Needham, Principal ([log in to unmask])
>Harry Needham Consulting Services Inc.
>Solutions for Heritage Institutions - and Others!
>74 Abbeyhill Drive
>Kanata ON K2L 1H1 Canada
>(Voice) +1.613.831-1068
>(Fax) +1.613.831-9412
>
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