MULTISENSORY APPROACH TO MUSEUM ACCESSIBILITY AND EXPERIENCE ENHANCEMENT

Authors

  • PhD Elīna Vikmane Latvian Academy of Culture, Institute of Cultural and Arts Studies, Latvia
  • Mg.art. Maija Ņikitina Riga Porcelain Museum, Latvia
  • Mg.sc.soc. Laura Brutāne Latvian Academy of Culture, Institute of Cultural and Arts Studies, Latvia
  • Bc.art. Lote Katrīna Cērpa Latvian Academy of Culture, Institute of Cultural and Arts Studies, Latvia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55877/cc.vol25.503

Keywords:

multisensory approach, accessibility, museums, museum education, visual impairment

Abstract

The study investigates a multisensory approach to accessibility in museums, highlighting the importance of its diverse dimensions in enhancing the experience for  visitors with visual impairments. Utilizing qualitative research methods, the study explores the physical, intellectual, and emotional accessibility dimensions of the museum education project in the Memorial Museum Raiņa un Aspazijas vasarnīca. The study highlights successful approaches in stimulating intellectual and emotional accessibility. It reveals that the stimulation of emotions, memories, and imagination might play the most important role in successful implementation of the multisensory approach, allowing all visitors – both individuals with visual impairments and those without – to greatly enhance the overall museum experience and form a more intimate and personal connection with the content.

 

Supporting Agencies
This research is funded by the Latvian Council of Science, project Striving Towards Participatory Engagement in Museums: Inquiry into Museum Education Practice in Latvia (MEET), project No. lzp-2022/1-0379.

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Published

17.12.2024