Art beyond limits: exploring the accessibility measures of selected Metro Manila museum for people with physical impairments

Abstract

As agents for social change, it is expected that cultural institutions advance their services to be oriented towards social engagement, consequently embracing people with physical impairments as one of their audiences. Despite the rarity of these museumgoers, this thesis will primarily look into the preparedness of the three major museums in Manila, The National Museum of the Philippines, Metropolitan Museum of Manila and The Ayala Museum, for provisions for these non- traditional museumgoers. With that, the thesis thus aims to answer the question: How accessible are these museums for people with physical (visual, hearing and mobility) impairments? In this context, accessibility will be examined through its institutional, physical, attitudinal and communication access. Interviews with key informants from the three museums and first hand observations of its physical environment were done. The research found out that the three museums fall short of complying with national laws that ensure and uphold the rights of people with disabilities, in this case people with visual, hearing and mobility impairments. The inadequate provisions for people with physical impairments are reflected in the museums' lack of clear policy that specifically outlines its aims and objectives in relation to access for people with impairments. Although provisions for people with physical impairment have been met, there are still areas to improve to maximize accessibility. In the paper, it is proposed that the concrete plans to the progress of a museum’s accessibility for the disabled shall be incorporated with the seven established principles of universal design, and moreover, allow inspirations from museums across the world that successfully materialize measures for accessibility.