Report of the National Seminar on "Museums For All"

The first National Seminar on Arts and Museums for Persons with Disabilities, entitled "MUSEUMS FOR ALL", was organised by the National Museum Institute at the National Museum during 22-24 March 2003.

The Seminar was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Dr Satyanarayan Jatia. In his inaugural speech the Hon'ble Minister lauded the efforts of the NMI for bringing Museums and NGOs working for the benefit of PWD into one platform. He urged that such national effort must not be restricted to Delhi alone, but must be extended to all regions in India. He assured all help from his Ministry in this regard.

Major (Retd.) Ahluwalia, Chairman of the Rehabilitation Council of India, was the Guest of Honour. He has dwelt at length on the social service role of Museums in making its resources accessible to all. From his own experience, he told his own story. He could climb Mount Everest. However, on account of his disability status, he could not see the Jacob Diamond, the most popular exhibit during the Nizam's Jewellery Exhibition arranged by the National Museum a few months back. The need for revising the Museology syllabus of Universities by including aspects of Museum Accessibility was highlighted by major Ahluwalia. He assured that the RCI would help in developing Museum Access Studies.

Dr B. Venugopal, Registrar of the NMI and the Coordinator of the Seminar, briefed the delegates about the genesis of the seminar as well its objectives. He told that even thought there are various attempts at making Museums and other Informal learning settings accessible to all including the PWD in India, these are not publicized. This is need for systematic approachto Access Studies and the Seminar is aimed at such an effort.

Mrs Manvi Seth, Lecturer in the NMI, gave a vote of thanks to the participants.

The Keynote speech was given by Dr B. Venugopal, who had done extensive work in the field of Access Studies at Museums and Zoos in various parts of India. His theories on Visitor Behaviour which was first presented at Rio de Janerio was adapted to suit Museum sAccess Studies. The pancha-indriya concept of museum communication as applicable to the multi-sensory communication media could well be the philosophical basis of Museum Access Studies.

In the afternoon, the delegates were exposed to the problems faced by the Disabled by various Simulation activities under the guidance of Samarthya, an NGO who had done poinner work in making a few other public service areas like Dilli Haat and Delhi Metro accessible to PWD. Many curious visitors to the NM also joined the Simulation exercise. Many visitors also joined the cause while seeing the simulation exercise in the galleries.

During the second day, papers were presented by Ms Rama Chari (NCPEDP), Mr Suproe Chanda and Indrani Chanda (Calcutta University), Preeti Issar (NMI), and Rummi Seth (NAB). Mr Dipendra Manocha from NAB, demonstrated the details of accessing the internet/web through demonstration. Using computer by visually impaired persons for accessing "Virtual Museums" was an eye opener to all the delegates.

On the third day, Dr R Palat (Calicut) mentioned that the persons with mental handicap are marginalized even among the PWD and there are very little efforts in making programmes suitable for mentally retarded. He explained the results of a research study on behaviour of mentally retarded children at a Science Centre and suggested a few valuable recommendations for the Museologists to follow.

Mr VP Sah and P Majumdar from the Delhi Regional Office of the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped threw light on barrier-free communication in Museums for PWD, especially the hearing-impaired. Mr D S Chauhan from the Handicapped Welfare Association also highlighted the role of Mseeums in education for the deaf. Ms Ranjana Subberwal from CAN (Concerned Action Now) advocated creating of accessible physical environment for PWD. Dr Poonam Chaudhary from University of Jammu briefed abou the various accessibility activities for the Dogra Art Museum. Mr George Abraham highlighted the empowering nature of Museums and demanded that it should be made mandatory for Museums to be accessible to all.

Major General Ian Cardozo from the Spastic Society echoed the concerns of the PWD and demanded that it is the right of every citizen of India to have access to the heritage available in museums.

Ms Manvi Seth and the Students of MA museology at the NMI presented the details of a previous exhibition entitled " Ehasas" which was a part of the course curriculum. All the participants demanded that such types of exhibitions must be the regular feature of the NM.

Most of the delegates felt that this Seminar must not become the end, but the starting of a new museum movement in the country. It was also felt that there is tremendous lack of awareness and sensitization among Museums on issues related to Accessibility. It was felt that a kind of guidelines or Policy on a National level would go a long way in helping Museums to become socially relevant institutions. It was felt that the Department of Culture, being the nodal agency for Museums in India, has got an important role to play in this direction.

A major recommendation of the National Seminar is the establishment of a Centre for Museum Access Studies at the NMI.

Recommendations

During the seminar, various papers on many aspects of Museum Accessibility especially for People with disabilities were made. Extensive discussion also followed. Demonstration of case studies and good practices were highlighted. All the delegates felt that a few recommendations will help a long way in following up the gains of the Seminar.

Recommendations to the Dept. of Culture, Govt. of India

Realising the importance of the Department of Culture as the nodal government agency for the development of Museums, the following recommendations are made:

1. A National Policy on Museum Accessibility must be developed,
2. Financial grants to Museums must be linked to Access Audits of Museums
3. There must be regular national, regional, and state level workshops for Access Audits and Sensitization of museum personnel
4. Museum camps on Museum Accessibility must be organised on a regular basis for the benefit of museum personnel.
5. During re-structuring of existing galleries, developing of new galleries and expansion of Museums, due importance must be given to Accessibility factors.
6. International conferences and workshops must be organized by the Department of Culture so that India can take a lead in the field of Museum Access Studies in Asia. For this, the help of professional bodies such as the ICOM (International Council of Museums) must be taken.
7. the Department must take pro-active role in implementing the various suggestions as envisaged under law [such as the Persons with disabilities (Equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation) Act 1995] which suggests public buildings like museums to be barrier-free.
8. In order to undertake the above-mentioned activities in the field of Museum Accessibility, it is recommended to establish a National Centre for Museum Access Studies.

Recommendations to the Director General, National Museum/ Vice Chancellor National Museum Institute

Realizing the unique nature of the National Museum, accepting the fact that any positive effort at the NM will become a model for other Museums in India to follow, realizing the potential of the NMI as the only Museum University in the World, and congratulating the efforts of the NMI in the field of Museum Access Studies, the following recommendations are made:

There must be frequent Sensitization programmes for the staff of the National Museum (NM) on a regular basis.

1. Access Audit of the NM must be undertaken regularly and the recommendations complied with.
2. There must be an Access Advocate for the NM
3. Museum Accessibility must become a part of the MA Museology curriculum
4. Research on Museum Accessibility must be given priority
5. For the benefit of Museum personnel all over the country the NMI must start courses on Museum

Accessibility studies through open learning system. Since the NMI is the only Museum University in the world, it must link with other universities working in this field such as the IGNOU, New Delhi and MPBOU, Bhopal.