The Case for Radical Inclusivity in Museums

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Archaeologies of Health, Wellness, and Ability" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Museums were created for educated, wealthy, able-bodied white men. This legacy of exclusion is one that museums find difficult to accept and then rectify. As museum goers begin to expect more and incoming museum professionals demand change, these institutions have gradually begun to shift elitist paradigms into one of accessibility and inclusion. With one in four Americans having a disability, museums can no longer afford to ignore this vibrant and intersectional community. I will share case studies of museums that are working to welcome visitors with disabilities into their spaces and engaging them cognitively, socially and intellectually. I will show that as programs become inclusive to the disabled community, they also become better for all visitors. Both practical and institution-wide examples will be shared to show that access is for everyone and can be obtainable at institutions of any size, budget and type. I will also present what the future of museums could be if we embrace radical inclusion in our programs, exhibits, building and attitudes.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Archaeologies of Health, Wellness, and Ability   •
• Society for American Archaeology 84th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM (2019)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 24800