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Open to All: Accessibility Audit programme 2019/20

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By West Midlands Museum Development / Posted on Tuesday 3rd September 2019

West Midlands Museum Development is providing five museums in 2019/20 with the opportunity to receive a professional audit of the physical environment. Participating museums will be audited by Direct Access. Each venue will receive an access audit report identifying a comprehensive list of tailored, prioritised recommendations based on current standards and legislation, aimed at improving access for visitors.

Direct Access will also create Easy Read Welcome Guides (also known as Visual Stories) for each organisation, designed to provide visitors with essential pre-visit information.

The Access Audit programme will conclude with ‘Creating an Effective Access Plan’ Accreditation training event on 23 January 2020 at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery. Direct Access will draw on examples from the audit visits to provide practical examples to support museums to develop and improve their own Access Plans.

Since 2004 Direct Access and its team of NRAC certified Access Consultants have provided access consultancy for thousands of buildings and services across multiple sectors. Millions of people daily use a service or premises audited by Direct Access. Direct Access’ clients range from small community museums such as Nantwich Museum to large sites including Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Scotland, Bodelwyddan Castle in Wales or UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the City of Bath and its Roman Baths.

Participation in the Access Audit programme directly supports Arts Council England’s Accreditation Standard 2018, Users and their experiences, 7. Be accessible to the public.

Priority will be given to museums who are Accredited or Working Towards Accreditation in the West Midlands that are due to submit a Return prior to December 2020. Places are limited to five museums, galleries or heritage sites.

Please click here to download the application form.

Please return completed application forms by email to wmmd@ironbridge.org.uk no later than
5pm, Monday 30 September 2019.

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