Redefining Access: Embracing multimodality, memorability and shared experience in Museums

Disability access to museums, both physical and intellectual, is generally considered a minority issue. Whilst museums and cultural institutions acknowledge the moral and legal importance of equal access to their establishments, there is generally a conflict between the perceived number of potential visitors that will benefit and the cost implications. Set in the context of research on multisensory learning, this article discusses why disability access is, in fact, a majority issue. It discusses two case studies where an “access for all” museological approach has been applied to access to the collections, with differing success. The article considers how an “access for all” approach would potentially enhance learning, long-term memorability and the ‘cultural value’ of a museum experience for all visitors

Architecture Inside Out: exploring creative relationships between disability and architecture

Architecture InsideOut is an Arts Council funded project bringing together architects with disabled and Deaf artists to explore innovative new ways of designing buildings and spaces which improve the built environment for everyone. Our mission is: ‘to promote activity that develops and captures models of new practice for the built environment, led by the creativity and experiences of disabled and Deaf artists’ We do this by: -enabling creative and constructive collaborations between disabled artists, architects, educators and related agencies -capturing, publicising and debating the best work so as to continually inform current and future practices. -developing the capacities of disabled artists, so as to make an impact on the built environment by improving the accessibility and quality of public space