ABSTRACT

The experience of visiting a museum exhibition is inherently visual. Although blind and partially blind people are increasingly offered some access to collections through audio and tactile content and inventive and accessible programming, these initiatives are infrequent and often assume that the goal is to replace or compensate for the visitor’s lack of sight. We argue that this approach to access is underpinned by ableism. Drawing on four recent initiatives – an inclusive virtual visit, a digital audio-described tour, inclusive creation and engagement workshops, and the co-creation of inclusive content – we suggest that it is only when access initiatives are placed at the center of museums’ offerings, taken seriously as artistic endeavors, and created with, offered to and enjoyed by both blind and non-blind visitors, that museums will move beyond their (often unwitting) ocularcentric assumptions towards a truly inclusive enriched experience for all.

摘要

参观博物馆展览的体验本质上是视觉的。虽然越来越多的盲人和部分盲人通过音频和触觉内容以及创造性和可访问的节目获得一些收藏品，但这些举措并不常见，并且通常假设目标是替换或补偿访问者的视力不足。我们认为，这种访问方法得到了能力主义的支持。借鉴最近的四项举措——包容性虚拟参观、数字音频描述之旅、包容性创作和参与研讨会，以及包容性内容的共同创作——我们建议只有将访问举措置于博物馆的中心供品，被视为艺术努力，由盲人和非盲人游客创造、提供和享受，