Yesterday, our accessibility audit team visited the marvellous Kettles Yard Art Gallery Kettle's Yard in the lovely City of Cambridge.
As an art gallery. It is by definition, a very "visual" environment. So, I was really interested in how someone with a visual impairment can feel included and experience the artworks on display. That was why, on this occasion, I extended the team to include two people with slightly different levels of visual acuity. Our newest team member, Abi James-Miller
brought great energy and had many suggestions regarding the use of new technology. Abi's inclusion to the team complimented Ian, one of our original team members and gave us two different perspectives regarding people with visual impairments. Their ability to navigate the space and also to experience the artworks.
We were joined, as always, by Bryan a wheelchair user, who completed the team. Bryan, Abi, and Ian explored the space to see what, if any, physical barriers might be present and to explore any social psychological dynamics that might prevent them from feeling included and able to fully enjoy this fantastic gallery.
Great credit goes to Kettle's Yard and the University of Cambridge
for putting hashtag#inclusion and hashtag#accessibility at the front of their agenda.