Broadening Participation Through Inclusive Museum Audio Description

Museums around the world are working to create more inclusive spaces, both in-person and online. Drawing on research recently carried out in the US and the UK, this interactive symposium will consider the purpose and nature of audio description within museums by examining its benefits for all visitors, irrespective of their level of vision. Hosted by the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and Access Smithsonian, with our project partner the University of Westminster, we will introduce the Workshop for Inclusive Co-created Audio Description (W-ICAD). This model was designed for the co-creation of subjective, museum AD, as described by groups of blind, low-vision and sighted museum visitors. We discuss how this model can be adapted as a museum experience for all participants.

We will challenge the notion of ‘access’, which assumes a binary distinction between the abled and disabled, with the underlying assumption being that non-disabled people do not need accessibility support, because they can freely access or service their needs without additional support. We will also challenge the idea that AD is created by non-blind people to be used by blind people.

This in-person symposium will provide practical tools that can be used within your museums and cultural organizations.

Speakers will include Alison Eardley and Lindsay Bywood (University of Westminster), Vanessa Jones (Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery), Hannah Thompson (Royal Holloway, University of London), Ashley Grady (Access Smithsonian).

Captions will be provided. If you require additional accommodations or have questions, please email jonesve@si.edu