Journal article
Occupational Therapy Partnerships with Museums: Creating Inclusive Environments that Promote Participation and Belonging
The international journal of the inclusive museum, v 4(4), pp 15-29
01 Jan 2012
Abstract
Occupational therapists (OTs) are health care professionals who enable clients to participate in meaningful activities. This session demonstrates how OTs can partner with museums to enhance the quality of inclusion for all visitors to promote their enjoyment, informal learning, competence, equity, and belonging. Since the Americans with Disabilities Act’s passage, many US museums have improved their general physical accessibility with wheelchair ramps or lower exhibit counters. Yet inclusion is more than access to the physical structure; it means that all people, regardless of their abilities, are able to participate as part of the social group and community. People with disabilities continue to report that they are unable to achieve a full museum experience. This session, a collaboration between OTs and museum staff in 3 US cities (Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago) discusses the principles of universal design and universal design for learning theory as tools to analyse museum environments. Examples from each museum illustrate the role of OTs in supporting inclusion through: 1) environmental modifications (physical and social), 2) innovative programming, and 3) personnel training. By increasing participation and belonging, OT partnerships with museums can promote positive museum experiences and inclusion for visitors with a wide range of abilities and needs.
Metrics
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12 citations in Scopus
Details
- Title
- Occupational Therapy Partnerships with Museums: Creating Inclusive Environments that Promote Participation and Belonging
- Creators
- Fern SilvermanBradford BartleyEllen CohnIngrid KanicsLynn Walsh
- Publication Details
- The international journal of the inclusive museum, v 4(4), pp 15-29
- Publisher
- Common Ground Research Networks
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Occupational Therapy
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84867861545
- Other Identifier
- 991022025114604721