Deaf accessibility was the cornerstone of Access Ambassadors work with local organisations and businesses. The new Milton Keynes Gallery opened in 2019. Part of the redevelopment included reaching to organisations for advice on inclusive and accessible practises. Gallery staff requested our advice regarding the extension to the building. They wanted to improve the accessibility and inclusion of deaf and hard of hearing visitors. Below is an outline of the advice and information that Access Ambassadors gave to support MK Gallery’s accessibility and inclusion process in 2017.
Deafness and hearing loss occurs across a spectrum. The categories of deafness are determined by the level of hearing loss/deafness – mild, moderate, severe or profound. Consequently, there are different groups of deaf and hard of hearing people: deaf (sign language users), deaf (speech users), those who use cochlear implants or hearing aids and so on. Ultimately the ‘labels’ attached to these groups are irrelevant as the aim of any visiting experience needs to be ‘universality’ so anyone, regardless of difference or need, can access and enjoy a museum or gallery.
Integrated and mobile hearing loops – we agreed that some areas need integrated loops. There are a number of companies that supply hearing loops but for convenience, we suggested approaching Action on Hearing Loss as they have a range of loops and can also install them.
Training for staff – Deaf & Disability awareness training was needed to help able-bodied staff understand the barriers experienced by people with sensory or physical differences. We also suggested sign language training which would include bespoke signs for the gallery.
Deaf artists – there are always young, up and coming artists at university studying photography, fine art, sculpture as well as theatre groups run by deaf artists such as Graeae.
Deaf employment – We suggested employing a member of staff who was deaf/hard of hearing. We also discussed Access to Work funding and how interpreters would be used by a staff member.
The Equality Act states that organisations make reasonable adjustments. These are not explained. There is no checklist of what reasonable adjustments are. However, venues can incorporate alternatives to the provision of sign language interpreters at events such as remote speech to text services.
Website adjustments – Adding a note near the contact telephone number such as ‘Textphone prefix 18001’ would indicate awareness that some visitors have hearing loss. Alternatively, the gallery could use video relay services to enable BSL users to make contact with any queries they have.
Accessibility in Café areas
Deaf accessibility needs to be considered for any eating areas too. Café areas of any attraction are problematic to hearing aid and cochlear implant users due to sound reverberation.
image ref: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Simplified_Reverb_Scheme.svg
It is possible to reduce noise reverberation by attaching panels or baffles to the ceiling/walls. Panels can be integrated into the colour scheme so they would not be readily noticeable in the environment. The positioning of panels also needs to be considered in order to achieve maximum sound absorption.
Accessibility: gallery activities
Some of the ways in which the visiting experience could be made to make a museum or gallery more accessible and inclusive:
Map: In each room/area, have a map available with a key to identify and briefly explain an item of interest.
Mobile app: Alternatively, have an app that explains objects within each room. There are companies such as Heritage Interactive that create apps for museums.
Tour guides: Encourage volunteers to demonstrate how objects work. Demonstration brings objects to life and helps visitors get a clearer picture of how an object was used. For deaf visitors, demonstration can be key to understanding an object. Volunteers and staff need to be aware of communication strategies that are needed when communicating with deaf and hard of hearing people.
Subtitles: Video clips need subtitles. There are many software options for embedding subtitles on the market. However, YouTube has an edit feature or you can download free software depending on which operating system is on the gallery computers.
Interpreted events: Have events that are interpreted into BSL to make the museum more accessible to sign language users.
We are pleased that many of our recommendations were taken on board and are still being used today. For example, the gallery has been host to Chisato Minamimura who provides art tours in BSL.