Author: Kamien, Janet, Goldbas, Amy and Porter, Susan

Publication Year: 1979

Media Type: Book

Summary:

This is a book about beginnings. It is meant to help you take the first steps in: evaluating your buildings and programs; locating and making good use of advisors and consultants; training your staff to deal successfully with disabled visitors; taking advantage of the resources and expertise you already have; working with a wider range of disabilities than you previously thought possible; understanding various disabilities and their ranges.

Abstract:

This is a book about beginnings. It is meant to help you take the first steps in: evaluating your buildings and programs; locating and making good use of advisors and consultants; training your staff to deal successfully with disabled visitors; taking advantage of the resources and expertise you already have; working with a wider range of disabilities than you previously thought possible; understanding various disabilities and their ranges. It will not tell you how to make your institution and its programs accessible because each institution and program is different, but it should give you the tools with which to make your own decisions.

There are lots of reasons why you should examine the question of accessibility. First and foremost is the federal legislation, usually called 504 which requires that all institutions receiving federal funds make their facilities and programs accessible to all people regardless of handicap. If they are not accessible, the government promises to take those federal dollars away.

Another financially compelling argument is the possibility of attracting a new untapped paying audience. A good ethical argument is that as holders of the nation's treasures, museums have a serious responsibility to make their collections available to all people. An excellent pragmatic argument is that improved accessibility for a handicapped audience assures improved accessibility for other audiences as well: children, seniors, the temporarily handicapped. But the most compelling argument, and the one that the Children's Museum responded to ten years ago, is: They're coming. Now what?

CONTENTS
Introduction.
Making a commitment.
Forming an advisory council.
Building accessibility.
Exhibit accessibility.
Orientation materials.
Program accessibility.
Staff training.
Public relations.
Information about disabilities.
Affirmative action hiring.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Accessibility