In the final
stages of thesis writing, I have worked to create cohesion between the sections
of the work. Structurally, the project establishes a linkage between how accessibility
has been conceptualized in the museum field and how efforts have been implemented
to support socially inclusive practice.
Through
consulting with advisors and practitioners in the field, it is apparent that
the distinction between legally compliant and truly inclusive practice is, increasingly,
a concern of museums. It is comforting and intriguing to know that this thesis
supports current dialogues among museum practitioners.
Discussion of
the scope of this work led to the addition of a section regarding universal
design as a best practice and fundamental ideal underlying access efforts.
Further problematizing the application of access efforts, universal design ideologically
supports the belief that all material, experiences, and offerings by an institution
should be accessible in as many ways, and to the broadest audience as possible.
My thesis now
seems like an old friend, so familiar. With the many other assignments,
projects, and pieces of writing that I have worked on in the past few weeks,
there is always a strange comfort in returning to it. The project has evolved
significantly since my proposal at the beginning of the year. It has been a
learning experience of give and take, exploration, and a broadening of
understanding.
As we approach
the end of this process, I am lucky to be continually fascinated and challenged
by this topic area. One of the case studies discusses several access efforts
supported by The Museum of Modern Art. Front-line staff now receive training
regarding the experience of diverse visitors to The Museum. In the video, director
Glen Lowry discusses underlying philosophies of access:
“I think that accessibility is also a
state of mind. It isn’t simply something that you do. It is something you have
to think about, be committed to, it doesn’t reside in one person or one
department. It resides in a mindset of the institution and I think once you
commit yourself that way and everyone is thinking about: how can you make the
experience of visiting the museum as accessible and engaging as possible to as
broad and diverse an audience as possible, magic begins to happen.”[1]
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