Opening Museums to Blind and Visually Impaired Visitors
Coco Raynes, President, Coco Raynes Associates, Inc., USA
Daniel Castro, Director, Casa Museo, Colombia
The tactile itineraries, which are always part of the general visit, allow blind and visually impaired visitors to discover art and participate in cultural activities. The designs are adapted to the nature of the collections, the architectural surroundings, the museographic conditions, and address all visitors.
National Museum of Colombia, Bogota, Colombia
El Museo a la Vista de Todos
Presenters: Coco Raynes and Dr. Daniel Castro
The National Museum is housed in an ex-penitentiary built in 1874, now a historical monument. The collection ranges from the pre-Colombian era to the Spanish conquest.
The Ministry of Culture requested an educational program to address everyone, including wheelchair users, children, illiterate or blind visitors.
The tactile and audio exhibits present the archeological pieces, objects and paintings within their historical context.
Presentations will include:
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Program and design solutions
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Government Policy and Strategic planning to make museums inclusive
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Training of Museum Personnel to receive blind people
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Maintaining contact with blind community and blind organization
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Impact of the project on the community
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Post Evaluation of the project
National Museums in the North of France
The Museum at Our Fingertips
Presenter: Coco Raynes
"The museum at our fingertips" is a tactile journey planned for the National Museums in the North of France where visually impaired visitors can discover sculpture history from medieval times to the 20th Century. The program allows blind visitors to touch selected sculptures and other pieces.
The first three museums implemented are:
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Musée des Beaux Arts de Arras - Medieval Art Galleries
Tactile Discovery of Selected Sculptures throughout Several Galleries
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Musée des Beaux Arts de Calais - 19th Century Sculpture Room
A Bronze Collection that can be Touched, Grouped in One Gallery
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Musée des Beaux Arts de Valenciennes - 15th-20th Centuries Galleries
An Invisible Information System Guides Visitors to Selected Sculptures throughout a Museum
In progress: Musée des Beaux Arts de Douai - The multisensory exhibition will translate the architecture of the 17th Century abbey.
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