Inclusion in museums: breaking down barriers and creating access

We were able to take part in the Kulturhaus-Stafette. An opportunity for exchange between mediators, experts and the audience. Around 30 people came together to discuss how we can break down barriers and make cultural organizations more accessible. The key questions were:

• What kind of services would people with mental/cognitive disabilities like to see at cultural institutions?
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• What specific assistance should be provided locally to make everyone feel welcome?
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• What kind of offers provide the opportunity for long-term cooperation?
  

Developed in 2023 in workshops of the "Kultur inklusiv" initiative, the event offers an ideal opportunity and platform for exchange. After starting at the Helmhaus Zurich, the second stop of the Kulturhaus-Stafette took place at the Museum Rietberg. As part of the work presentation "Dementia has many faces", the challenges faced by those affected, carers and hosts were discussed.

As part of the event series, insights and experiences on the topic of inclusion and accessibility are shared and further developed. An inspiring group and an instructive exchange with museum staff, educators, interaction designers, many experts and the audience.
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Many thanks to Caroline Spicker, Head of Art Education, and her colleagues at Museum Rietberg for organizing the event. We are very much looking forward to the next stage at the Museum für Gestaltung.

We have noticed that the topic is becoming increasingly important for us and our partners. That is why we have worked with experts from the Swiss Federation of the Blind, among others. Thanks to their expertise, we can ensure that mediation becomes more accessible. Whether at the Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst, the Gewerbemuseum Winterthur, the Museum für Gestaltung or the Bündnis Gemeinsam gegen Sexismus. Our audio guides must be barrier-free and as inclusive as possible. In addition to compatibility with screen readers through Aria attributes, for us this means, for example, the possibility of integrating videos for sign language into our audio and multimedia guide.

The legal basis is also changing. In the EU, for example, the Accessibility Reinforcement Act (BFSG) will apply from 2025. Digital accessibility will change from a "nice to have" to a "must have". Together with the museums, we want to lay the foundations and create more inclusive offerings. We look forward to learning from our users and continuously optimizing our own digital mediation services. This will ensure that we always use the latest technology to become more inclusive.