Bridging the Gap: Building Confidence with Disability for Front Staff

Authors:

• Jordan Crowder, Museology Graduate Program
• Chair: Angelina Ong
• Joanne Woiak,
• Brian Capozzoli

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Abstract:

Museums are often seen as beacons of social progress but hidden behind the curtain is a damaging stain: inaccessibility. While much progress has been made in this sector, the attention is often focused on physical structures and not the attitudes of staff. This project utilizes findings from prior published visitor study research, disability justice publications, and interviews disabled individuals within the Seattle area. The purpose of this project is to create an employee training workshop for volunteers and front staff, as well as a resource guide for others to consult after the initial workshop. The goal of this project is to educate workshop participants on the basics of disability justice and provide them with information to improve their interactions with disabled guests. The results from self-reported surveys were positive, with respondents reporting that the information in the workshop was taught well and gave them the confidence and tools for future interactions with disabled guests. Some challenges faced during this process included pivoting to an online format due to COVID-19, low attendance, and determining what research sources to use when creating the program curriculum. Regarding the results obtained from this project, it is quite clear that museums and similar cultural institutions need to put resources towards training their employees in areas of social issues, such as accessibility. If programs such as this one become more common, it will lead to a more informed and conscious employee pool that is better equipped to assist all visitors.

Poster:

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Project Deliverable:

Bridging the Gap: Building Confidence with Disability for Front Staff

Video Presentation