Open Forum

For those contributors who do not know, with the  possible exception of discussions of service dogs in zoos,  there is an extensive bibliography regarding most aspects of museum disabled visitor services dating to at least the 1970s and perhaps before.  Thanks to pathbreaking conferences and publications organized by the Association of State and Local History, the Association of Science-Technology Centers, and the American Alliance of Museums, there is an abundance of published materials that cover most of the questions  discussed on the subject during the last several days. I would especially recommend "The Accessible Museum: Model Programs of Accessibility for Disabled and Older People" (AAM, 1992) and "Access to Cultural Opportunities: Museums and the Handicapped" (ASTC, 1980) along with anything you can find on line by the late Harold Snider (formerly of the Air and Space Museum), Deborah Sonnenstrahl ( Gallaudet College) and Jan Majewski ( formerly both of the Smithsonian and the US Department of Justice). Bibliiography in the back of the basic publications can guide interested readers with specific related interests to specialized sources.  While some of the material predates the ADA, I think you will find the answers to most of the questions here discussed and that the bottom line in all instances is, as some conributors have recommended, common sense, common courtesy, and consultation with the disabled consumer.

-------------------------------------------
Charles Steiner
Museum Consultant
-------------------------------------------

For resources on Museums and ADA regulations, check out the website of the Museum Access Consortium at http://www.cityaccessny.org/mac.php,.  The volunteer group of NYC museums and service providers presents and documents professional development seminars on many aspects of access.  Most have been video or audio taped and are available on the website.


-------------------------------------------
Barbara Cohen-Stratyner PhD
Curator of Exhibitions
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
New York NY
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 12-20-2014 02:38 PM
From: Charles Steiner
Subject: Disabled Visitor Services

For those contributors who do not know, with the  possible exception of discussions of service dogs in zoos,  there is an extensive bibliography regarding most aspects of museum disabled visitor services dating to at least the 1970s and perhaps before.  Thanks to pathbreaking conferences and publications organized by the Association of State and Local History, the Association of Science-Technology Centers, and the American Alliance of Museums, there is an abundance of published materials that cover most of the questions  discussed on the subject during the last several days. I would especially recommend "The Accessible Museum: Model Programs of Accessibility for Disabled and Older People" (AAM, 1992) and "Access to Cultural Opportunities: Museums and the Handicapped" (ASTC, 1980) along with anything you can find on line by the late Harold Snider (formerly of the Air and Space Museum), Deborah Sonnenstrahl ( Gallaudet College) and Jan Majewski ( formerly both of the Smithsonian and the US Department of Justice). Bibliiography in the back of the basic publications can guide interested readers with specific related interests to specialized sources.  While some of the material predates the ADA, I think you will find the answers to most of the questions here discussed and that the bottom line in all instances is, as some conributors have recommended, common sense, common courtesy, and consultation with the disabled consumer.

-------------------------------------------
Charles Steiner
Museum Consultant
-------------------------------------------