In article <[log in to unmask]>, John Martinson <[log in to unmask]> writes >Question: Those involved with pioneer, historical homes or >structures, what means do you take in changing the structures >to allow access to the physcial disabled? > >If you add ramps, change the orginal building structure, you >no longer have an authentic "pioneer settlement" the public >wants to see. The entire pioneer, orginal look of the village is lost with >ramps and appeal of days' gone by. >Are films proper for those who cannot get around, specail guided >tours, etc. that tell the story for those who cannot access the building(s) >is that enough? There are other things you can do. If you have reconstructed as well as preserved, you can make the materials and finishes used in the reconstruction available. These will enable someone who can't get upstairs to 'see' the bedroom curtains much more effectively than a video or photograph of them alone (although the photo or film is also needed, to get a sense of how they hang, the space of the room and so on). The National Trust started doing this in Britain, and found the books were very popular with non-disabled visitors, too, and cut down on the wear caused by visitors unable to resist the desire to feel the fabrics. You could make a handling collection available: as well as the kettle collected to sit on the stove, collect one so that the visitors who can't get into the kitchen can feel how heavy they were. Again, non- disabled visitors would benefit from such a collection. 'Special tours' are fine, but consider the bulk of your visitors, who won't turn up in pre-arranged groups, but would, or would like, to come on a whim. Is there a US equivalent of the British MAGDA (Museums and Galleries Disability Association) - which is a great source of information and support for those working to remove barriers to access. -- Pat Reynolds [log in to unmask]