The Metropolitan Museum of Art...

In the United States, there is an exemplary accessibility program at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) in New York. It has a wonderful access program for people with visual impairments, blindness, hearing impairments, deafness, learning and developmental disabilities, and for people with dementia. Also, there is a specific section on the website for programs and events for people with disabilities.  These programs are largely due to the fact that the museum has two Access Coordinators/Educators in charge of creating programming for people with varying abilities. I spoke with one of the Access Educators, Rebecca McGinnis, about the MET’s programs for the Deaf community.

In terms of their programs for Deaf people, the MET not only provides tours with an interpreter, but some tours are given in ASL with a voice interpreter – meaning the tour is held in ASL, and for those who are able to hear, there is an English interpreter. This museum also provides ASL interpretation for one family program per month. Furthermore, the MET has large-scale events for people who use American Sign Language called “An Evening of Art and ASL” held two to three times a year that includes interpreted and sign language tours and a catered reception that follows the tours. Rebecca mentioned that having a social aspect – such as the interactions that take place at Deaf community gatherings – at museum events allows people who are Deaf an opportunity to interact and develop a trusting and loyal relationship with the museum (Personal communication, December 1, 2008). These programs provided by the art museum are free of charge with admission and do not require an appointment.  Visitors can sign up for monthly email updates about these programs.