York Museums Trust To Host Consultation Meetings To Improve Access Across Sites

16 January 2018

York Museums Trust’s Access Team is looking for volunteers to help develop new ideas and activities to ensure our venues are as accessible as possible to everyone.

The team are putting together a consultation group which would meet every two months and want to hear the thoughts of those who may have accessibility difficulties.

The group would talk about specific items such as bookable events, downloadable resources, upcoming exhibitions or how best to get information across to the public.

The next meeting is on Thursday 18th January at York Art Gallery from 2pm until 3.30pm. However, if those interested have the time, there is also an opportunity to visit at 1pm to take part in one of the sensory tours which lasts 45 minutes.

Each time the group meets, we will arrange for anyone who is part of the consultation group to be able to look round the venue where the meeting is being held either before or after the meeting. This is possible by informing the front of house staff you are part of the consultation.

The subjects up for discussion in the January meeting will be:

  • What are the possible alternatives for anyone not able to physically access gallery or exhibition spaces?
  • What is the best form of non-visual interpretation (audio guides / braille text / guided tour / QR codes to scan / Penfriend / etc) and what is their best use (are they a tour? Adding information about exhibits? Explaining what can be seen?) In addition to this, we will discuss virtual tours for before visitors come.

The Access Team would particularly like to have the voice of those with dementia and autism represented.

If you are interested in coming to the next meeting or becoming part of the group, please get in touch with Sarah Mortimer, leader of the team, on sarah.mortimer@ymt.org.uk.