Museums Without Barriers

Museum professionals have taken a lead in creating improved access for the disabled. The problems they face have been enormous: ill-designed buildings, problems of security, and above all a lack of funding and resources. The Fondation de France held a conference in 1989 to provide a forum where European museum experts could share their experience of providing for the disabled with professionals from other disciplines and other regions of the globe. The development of their work is the subject of this book. It is in every sense a unique collection, from the reports of projects both planned and executed, to the comprehensive bibliography created by the Unesco ICOM Documentation Centre. It should become essential reading for all professionals concerned with museums and the cultural heritage, with the architecture and design of museums, and for those providing services for the disabled. In an increasing number of countries, including the United States and Canada, the access rights of the disabled are now embodied in law. The volume provides access to some of the best practice in the provision for the disabled, and sets preface, agenda for future action in museums worldwide.