Broadening Participation Through Co-Created Inclusive Museum Audio Description

Museums around the world are working to create more inclusive spaces, both in-person and online. Drawing on research recently carried out in the US and the UK, this interactive symposium will consider the purpose and nature of audio description within museums by examining its benefits for all visitors, irrespective of their level of vision. Hosted by the University of Westminster, in collaboration with our project partners the Watts Gallery and Artists Village, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, VocalEyes, and Access Smithsonian, we will introduce the Workshop for Inclusive Co-created Audio Description (W-ICAD). This model was designed for the co-creation of subjective, museum AD, as described by groups of blind, partially-blind and sighted museum visitors. We discuss how this model can be adapted as a museum experience for all participants.  

We will challenge the notion of ‘access’, which assumes a binary distinction between abled and disabled people, with the underlying assumption being that non-disabled people do not need accessibility support, because they can freely access or service their needs without additional support. We will also challenge the idea that AD is created by non-blind people to be used by blind people. 

This in-person symposium will provide practical tools that can be used within your museums and cultural organisations. 

Arrival will be 1pm (with welcome coffee/tea), for a 1.30pm start. The afternoon will include a welcome and introduction from the research team, an explanation of the W-ICAD model, and a practical session (including group work) to experience W-ICAD.  There will also be time for group discussion. 

Speakers will include Alison Eardley (University of Westminster), Hannah Thompson (Royal Holloway, University of London), Vanessa Jones (Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery), Laura Macculloch (Watts Gallery and Artists Village) and Matthew Cock (VocalEyes).

The event is free, but places are limited so registration is required. 

If you have any access requirements, please contact: Lindsay Bywood l.bywood@westminster.ac.uk

ALT description of Image: In the centre of this image is a small group of people, mostly seated with a couple standing, facing an artwork in one of the galleries of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. Two of the seated group are holding guide canes. The group facilitator is in the foreground, just left of centre. She has her back to us, and is a wheelchair rider. On the far left of the image is the artwork, hanging on the wall. The angle means that we cannot see what the artwork is. There is a man standing on the left side and towards the back of the image. He stands in front of the group, perhaps talking about what he is experiencing.