Disability Studies & Museums Studies Together in the Sandbox, Ruth Starr

In the past several weeks, I’ve come to look at my research as the intersection of disability and museum studies. For this reason, the resources I’ve found are largely situated in both fields. I have been able to divide my findings into some general categories, which will help continue to inform the evolution of the project.

Disability Studies: Changing the Dialogue from All Angles

 In the realm of disability studies, I’ve primarily been interested in understanding the mindset and attitudes of the general public surrounding the construct of disability, accessibility, and inclusion. This category of research is further segmented between the academic research looking at psychological and sociological issues around the general public’s conceptualization of disability compared to the cultural studies generated from the advocacy community. These multitudes of perspectives will allow the project to present a more holistic literature review of the current studies, and cultural values related to improving access within institutions. Specifically, I’ve discovered several tactics for analyzing the general public’s understanding of individuals with disabilities. Using psychological tests such as the Implicit Association Test, projective questioning, and anonymity, I have gained insights for the creation of a survey instrument which will be able to target honest answers on discrimination, equality, and perception of disability.[1]

Additionally, I’ve further developed an understanding to the paradigm shift within the disability community from the deficit to social model of disability, and how the American’s with Disabilities Act and further legislation play a role in supporting equality or limiting access efforts. [2]

Museum Practice: Evolution of Cultural Institution Accessibility Efforts

In this area of research, I’ve been able to identify the “best practices” over time that museums have created in effort to create inclusion for diverse audiences. One of the challenges in collecting material in this subject area is locating resources created by members of the disability community.[3] Guidelines have been created by professional organizations, such as the American Alliance of Museums, but the perspective of individuals with disabilities is seldom presented in the literature. Over time, researchers / practitioners  have argued for various models to develop inclusion, which were implemented in different ways within cultural institutions. In contemporary museum practice, we see a partnership model, transparency, and open dialogues as current developing trends.[4]

Looking Forward: Continued Project Development

After a workshop with the Human Subjects Research Office, it seems that my project, in the state I’ve conceptualized it, will go through the IRB process. I am currently organizing the resources I’ve collected and writing an abstract for the project. Additionally, I am giving consideration to the scope of the project in the time frame of the remaining year. I am interested to see how the project continues to evolve as I move forward with the research process.

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[1] Ostapczuk, Martin, and Jochen Musch. “Estimating the Prevalence of Negative Attitudes towards People with Disability: A Comparison of Direct Questioning, Projective Questioning and Randomized Response.” Disability & Rehabilitation Vol. 33, no. 5 (March 2011): 399–411. 

[2] Emens, Elizabeth F. “Disabling Attitudes: US Disability Law and the ADA Amendments Act” The American Journal of Comparative Law. Vol 60, no 1 (2012): p. 205 – 233.

[3] Cachia, Amanda. “Talking Blind: Disability, Access, and the Discursive Turn.”Disability Studies Quarterly Vol. 33, no. 3 (2013).

[4] American Alliance of Museums (Producer), 2015, “Stories of Inclusion: Inclusive Practices at    Cultural Institutions”.