Sidewalk cuts, elevators, and ramps provide museum access to people in wheelchairs. Braille signs, audio labels, and video description provide museum access to people who are blind or have low vision. These tools and resources are required by law, and while they don't really make the entire museum 100% accessible, they make a positive difference.
The ADA, however, offers very unclear guidance about requirements for people with developmental, cognitive, sensory, or learning differences. As a result, few museums provide even basic accessibility tools for people who need, for example, simple signage, previews to prepare for museum engagement, small group programs, or other accommodations. Recently, though, more museums are beginning to think about the needs of this very large group of people -- and to provide for them in various ways.
As you can see from the graphic above, basic accessibility is at the bottom of a pyramid of approaches that support inclusion of people with autism and related disorders. It's the least expensive, requires the least time or energy, and can make a real difference to some people.
Basic accessibility is to autism and other developmental/cognitive/sensory differences as ramps are to wheelchair users: they get you in the door, but don't necessarily make programs, events, or exhibits fully available. Still, accessibility tools are well worth creating, as they can be extremely helpful to a certain segment of your audience with autism and related disabilities.
Accessible Museums
Most museums that offer access tools also offer autism-only programs and events, and some also provide autism-related training to their staff. You'll notice that most of the museums listed are children's museums, presumably because there is a bias toward supporting children as opposed to teens or adults on the autism spectrum. Of course, people with autism are not all children, and extremely few children with autism "outgrow" their symptoms as they age. Some of these museums include:
The ADA, however, offers very unclear guidance about requirements for people with developmental, cognitive, sensory, or learning differences. As a result, few museums provide even basic accessibility tools for people who need, for example, simple signage, previews to prepare for museum engagement, small group programs, or other accommodations. Recently, though, more museums are beginning to think about the needs of this very large group of people -- and to provide for them in various ways.
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| Simple tools can make a big difference for families and groups with autistic members |
Basic accessibility is to autism and other developmental/cognitive/sensory differences as ramps are to wheelchair users: they get you in the door, but don't necessarily make programs, events, or exhibits fully available. Still, accessibility tools are well worth creating, as they can be extremely helpful to a certain segment of your audience with autism and related disabilities.
Accessible Museums
Most museums that offer access tools also offer autism-only programs and events, and some also provide autism-related training to their staff. You'll notice that most of the museums listed are children's museums, presumably because there is a bias toward supporting children as opposed to teens or adults on the autism spectrum. Of course, people with autism are not all children, and extremely few children with autism "outgrow" their symptoms as they age. Some of these museums include:
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (STELLAR programs and online tools!)
- The DuPage Children's Museum
- The Pittsburgh Children's Museum (online social stories)
- The Chicago Children's Museum (online social stories)
- The New Hampshire Children's Museum
- The Smithsonian Institution (online resources connected to a research project)
- The West Hartford Children's Museum (online preview videos)
- The Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose (online social stories and map)
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