For museums and heritage site employees:
- Design and update digital projects by considering their accessibility from the conception stage.
- Think accessibility not only on websites but also mobile devices, interactive displays, audio guides, signage and labels.
- Research improvements that can be done regarding accessibility without requiring too many resources, like optimizing colour contrast, adding captions or transcripts to media content, and ensuring text readability.
- Pay attention to the providers you work with to ensure they are up-to-date with accessibility regulations: even when a service is fully or partially outsourced to a third party, its accessibility should not be compromised.
- Ensure that their staff receive adequate and ongoing training to guarantee they understand how to use accessible products and services to be able to assist visitors with varying needs.
The key requirements for the museum’s website:
- Must contain – and at first sight – the direct link to all the essential information in preparation for the visit and how to use the museum for the various target groups (mediation on offer, contacts, accessibility in the infrastructure).
- Write text descriptions for images for those who may not be able to see the image.
- Caption, transcribe, and describe videos (with subtitles, sign language, audio description and so on).
- Make controls accessible without a mouse.
The example of the Berlinische Galerie, a museum of modern art, photography and architecture in Berlin:
- Clear and Accessible Design: The Berlinische Galerie’s website offers a recognizable layout with large, clear text on a high-contrast background.
- Customisable Interface: Users can adjust font size and toggle between white or black background for better contrast directly from the homepage’s primary menu bar.
- Accessible Information Options: This menu also provides direct links to “easy language” and sign language information, along with introductions to current exhibitions.
- Multilingual Accessibility: An English version mirrors the German site, offering the same barrier-free design and accessibility details, though “easy language” and “sign language” options are only in German.
- Focus on Inclusive Access: The “Accessible Museum” section in the second menu bar emphasizes a commitment to inclusive access with resources for visitors with mobility or vision impairments, German Sign Language content, and an inclusive education program.
Other Relevant EU Regulations
Web Accessibility Directive (WAD):
- Obligates all public sector bodies in the EU to make their online websites and mobile apps accessible.
- This allows EU citizens, particularly those with a disability, to gain easier access to public services.
- It has applied since 22 December 2016 and had to become law in the Member States by 23 September 2018.