Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Fall 2014

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Cultural and Environmental Resource Management

Committee Chair

Kathleen Barlow

Second Committee Member

Mark Auslander

Third Committee Member

Jessica Hope Amason

Fourth Committee Member

Michael Ogden

Abstract

The focus of this study is museum accessibility for patrons with disabilities. The history of museums and their evolution into institutions that strive to create an inclusive community means that many aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as well as the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 are applicable. Developing a tool for assessing museum compliance with the law was key to gathering data to use for improving compliance with the law. Using this data and comparing current compliance in four museums to three major legal cases against museums showed common areas for improvement in accessibility in all facilities involved in this study. Technical solutions for creating an inclusive museum are pulled from legal settlements as well as accessibility websites and presented here.

Comments

A PowerPoint presentation that summarizes this thesis can be viewed at the Central Washington University Archives and Special Collections.

Additional Files
APPENDIX D.pdf (6126 kB)

Language

English

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