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Wednesday, 3 October 2023

Visiting places of interest - introduction

Attractions such as museums, galleries and historical buildings vary in their facilities and what they have to offer disabled people. It is always good to plan your visit ahead.

Accessibility

Most places of interest have websites, which detail a building's accessibility and any special equipment available. You can also find out about tours, lectures and workshops for people of all ages and abilities. Here are some things you may want to ask about:

  • information about access in different parts of the building
  • travel and parking information
  • what assistance is provided and whether advance notice is required
  • what formats information is provided in
  • details about services and events specifically targeted at disabled people

Over recent years, changes to procedures, practices and physical access to buildings have been made. These include:

  • guides and tours for people with learning disabilities
  • staff training to raise awareness of people's different requirements
  • exhibition guides in different formats such as audiotape and Braille

New ways of making information accessible for disabled people are constantly evolving. These include:

  • the description of museums and archive collections for blind or visually impaired visitors
  • symbol systems for people with learning difficulties,
  • the use of technology, for example online videos delivered in British Sign Language

Places are starting to include the needs of users with dyslexia in their planning and the way they display and promote their collections.

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