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Lisa--

My understanding is that, outside architecture, ADA obligations are  
met by museums on a voluntary basis.  Unless they're applying for  
government grants.

The number one lesson regarding accessibility is that good design  
allows for maximum access without targeting specific needs.  Lever- 
style door handles are easier than old-fashioned knobs for (just  
about) everybody, not just the motor-impaired, so why wouldn't we  
install lever-style door handles?  Everybody wins.  This can easily  
be drawn into an analogy about font sizes on exhibit labels, etc etc  
etc.
The number two lesson is that you can't please all the people all the  
time.  Disabilities are fuzzy things (we all have some, admit it);  
the word "blind" refers to a wide range of conditions and no one  
solution can address them all.  In the most extreme cases, it's good  
to remember that we all generally agree, with or without sight, that  
braille labels for an exhibit about the color spectrum is getting  
rather silly.

Those particular understandings have helped me a lot, and they  
represent what would be my approach to your specific questions.  For  
example, to your last question, I would ask, "Outside of the context  
of ADA obligations, and recognizing that we all suffer some degree of  
disability, is it a good thing for ALL of your visitors to have staff  
available to help access/find/engage museum activities?"  You really  
don't need to treat anyone special when you recognize that everyone  
is special.

I dare to say that your concern and effort takes you halfway there,  
and puts you way in front of the pack of institutions that never stop  
to ask these questions.

For reference with regards to object and label design, I consult a  
binder The Smithsonian published, titled "Accessible Exhibition Design."
There used to be link on this page, which includes other resources as  
well
http://museumstudies.si.edu/header6.html
but the particular link looks broken now.  I followed up with an  
email to Smithsonian, and will let you know if I hear back.

: J


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JasonJayStevens
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On Jan 3, 2011, at 9:05 AM, Lisa Rudy wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology  
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related  
> institutions.
> ********************************************************************** 
> *******
>
> Does anyone know where I can get detailed information about  
> obligations museums have under the ADA for people with  
> developmental challenges?  For example...
>
> Is there any expectation that museum labels should be written  
> simply so that people with intellectual disabilities can better  
> understand them (or that simplified language should be available in  
> print form)?
> Is there any expectation that museum venues should be set up to  
> make it possible for people with sensory issues to attend  
> demonstrations that are loud or frightening (eg, giant Van der  
> Graff, loud IMAX, etc.) ?
> Is there any reason why a museum's "special needs night" should be  
> staffed by trained individuals?
> Is there an expectation that staff should be available to help  
> individuals with intellectual or developmental challenges to access/ 
> find/engage in museum activities?
>
> Called the ADA for this type of info, but they don't seem to answer  
> specific questions!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Lisa Rudy
>
> -- 
>
> Lisa Jo Rudy
> 508-540-7293
>
> Falmouth, MA
> [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> http://www.lisarudy.com
>
>
>
> Learn more about my new book,
>
> /Get Out, Explore, Have Fun:
> How Families of Children With Autism or Asperger Syndrome Can Get  
> the Most Out of Community Activities <http://www.lisarudy.com/ 
> getoutexplore.htm>/
>
> Join my Autism at About.com Community <http://www.facebook.com/ 
> AutismAtAboutDotCom> on Facebook
>
>
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