The policy is in our access guide:
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/access-guide/
Trevor Reynolds, Registrar
English Heritage, 37 Tanner Row, York, YO1 6WP
+44 (0) 1904 601905
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From: Museum discussion list [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Leah Fox [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 09 September 2011 18:05
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Museum Admission: Personal Assistants
Thank you both for your input. Trevor -- Do you publicize this policy on your website? We haven't received concern over our current policy, but are examining accessibility as a whole within our institution. We are fortunate that our facility is very accessible and that our staff considers high standards in customer service to all a priority. Leah
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From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of REYNOLDS, Trevor
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 12:55 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Museum Admission: Personal Assistants
Our policy is
"The companions of visitors with a disability are admitted free of charge to all our properties. English Heritage staff at properties will not ask for any documentary proof of disability, however, any disabled visitor who would like a standard letter confirming that their companion should be admitted free of charge can be sent one, on request, by Customer Services."
NB an adult disabled visitor has to pay full price unless they are senior citizens, students or unemployed (who get discounted entry whether or not they are disabled).
I'm sure there are people who don't need a companion for assistance who take advantage of this to bring in a friend for free, but the offence and annoyance caused by asking intrusive questions of genuine people far out ways the small loss of income.
Trevor Reynolds
Collections Registrar, English Heritage
tel: +44 (0) 1904 601905. 37 Tanner Row, York, YO1 6WP
________________________________
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Matthew White
Sent: 09 September 2011 17:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Museum Admission: Personal Assistants
Leah,
I have worked a number of places and we always offered free admission to anyone who came to assist a person with a disability. In terms of school groups I have always advocated letting in language interpreters free as well. Sometimes I win that battle, sometimes I don't.
And to be blunt, I don't recall caring whether a specific person was a family member or an actual paid professional. The fact is, we aren't talking a lot of people here and you have to balance the cost of losing a small number of admission tickets with the negative consequences of offending a group or family arguing over definitions. I have been through the later with a particularly obstreperous docent and it just is not worth it in the long run. This type of thing goes especially true for the disabled community because they tend to be very well networked and communicate. You don't want to get a reputation as being inaccessible. My advice is that if they claim it, let them in with appropriate safeguards for acceptable ratios of paid/free tickets.
I should note that I come at this from the history museum side, mostly. My sites have typically been in historic structures that weren't always as fully accessible as a more modern building might be, so we were VERY sensitive to give back a little to that community when we could to stay in their good graces.
Just my 2 cents.
Matthew White
PhD Candidate, History of Science
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Museum Studies
University of Florida
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
On Sep 9, 2011, at 9:57 AM, Leah Fox wrote:
Hi All,
We are currently examining our admissions policies for visitors with disabilities. Presently, we do not offer any special discounts to a visitor with a disability or their assistant, but would like to know if other museums are addressing this any differently. (We offer free admission hours for all visitors every Saturday from 10:00-noon.)
* Do you offer free or or reduced admission if someone with a disability brings a personal assistant (someone acting as a sighted guide; someone to assist with a wheelchair)?
* How do you address the fine line between a personal assistant and a friend/family who is joining them to enjoy the visit but also helping? (We have had several occassions where the person accompanying has identified themselves as an assistant asking for free admission. We told them our current policy and they were fine with it. While we understand that there are many hidden disabilities, we questioned to ourselves the visitor's intentions -- it was the second person self-identifying as an assistant, not the person with the disability saying "I'm here with my assistant.") Overall, we try to use our best judgement with this.
Thanks,
Leah
Leah Fox, Director of Public Programs
Currier Museum of Art
150 Ash Street
Manchester, NH 03104
603.669.6144 x119
Visit our Online Curriculum for Educators at http://curriculum.currier.org.
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