In today’s world, accessibility is no longer just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for creating visitor experiences that truly include everyone. The World Health Organization reports that around 1.3 billion people live with significant disabilities, making accessible tourism a priority. With 16% of the global population experiencing some form of disability, the tourism industry has a $13 billion annual opportunity that’s still largely untapped. By embracing inclusive design and ensuring equal access, museums, galleries, and historic sites can broaden their reach and make their stories more impactful.
As Simon Darcy and Tracey J. Dickson put it, “Accessible tourism enables people with access requirements, including mobility, vision, hearing, and cognitive dimensions of access, to function independently and with equity and dignity.”
This focus extends to seniors, families with strollers, and anyone else who could benefit from more inclusive design.
In this blog, we’ll explore key strategies for implementing inclusive design, discuss the role of technology in accessibility, and offer practical tips for museums, parks, and other attractions to create engaging and accessible experiences for all visitors.
Why Inclusive Design Matters in the Museum and Cultural Sector:
Over the last decade, accessibility has become a focal point in the museum and cultural sector. Organizations like the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) are making it a priority, but many destinations and institutions still face the question: “Where do we start?” Despite growing conversations around accessibility, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all blueprint, and industry professionals often find themselves navigating how to put principles into practice, regardless of their size, budget, or focus.
Inclusive design means creating spaces—both digital and physical—that everyone can access, understand, and enjoy. For cultural institutions, this means developing exhibits, tours, and interactive experiences that cater not just to visitors without disabilities, but also to those with various physical, sensory, and cognitive needs. Studies show that accessible tourism doesn’t just benefit visitors; it can increase attendance, enhance an institution's reputation, and deepen connections between visitors and the stories being shared. Making your space accessible isn’t just about compliance; it’s about making sure every visitor has the opportunity to engage with your content on their terms.
Key Strategies for Creating Accessible Visitor Experiences
If you’re looking to make your visitor experiences more accessible, there are several practical strategies to consider:
- Physical Accessibility
To accommodate all visitors, museums and attractions need to ensure their spaces are inclusive, particularly for those with mobility challenges. This means adding features like ramps, elevators, and wide entrances for wheelchair access. Tactile maps and touch-based stations also offer visually impaired visitors interactive ways to engage with exhibits.
- Communication and Display Accessibility
Accessible information goes beyond traditional signage. Digital displays can incorporate images, text, and audio to meet diverse sensory needs. By offering large print options, audio guides, and tactile elements, institutions can create an environment that’s inclusive for visitors with visual, auditory, or cognitive impairments.
- Audio-Visual and Digital Accessibility
Multimedia elements, such as videos and audio recordings, are great tools for engaging visitors. Using digital tools that provide captions, audio descriptions, and screen reader compatibility ensures content is accessible to visitors with visual or hearing impairments. Digital tours with narrated audio and transcripts further make content available in multiple formats, catering to diverse visitor needs.
How STQRY Supports Accessibility in Visitor Experiences
At STQRY, accessibility is central to our mission. We believe in connecting people, places, and stories through digital solutions that allow all visitors to engage fully with exhibits and experiences. We work with museums, parks, and historic sites to create inclusive and accessible environments.
Lydia Ireland, Director of Customer Success at STQRY, emphasizes: “At STQRY, we aim to make the stories of every site and institution accessible to all. Our technology is designed to bridge the accessibility gap by offering tools that integrate easily with existing systems and adapt to the diverse needs of visitors.”
Here’s how STQRY enhances accessibility:
- Sign Language Integration and Audio Accessibility
STQRY is committed to breaking down barriers by making information available in multiple accessible formats. With integrated ASL translation powered by Signapse, STQRY transforms written content into engaging ASL videos, ensuring deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors have full access to stories and exhibit details. The STQRY builder supports engaging audio guides, paired with transcripts, to enhance accessibility further, providing an inclusive experience for blind and visually impaired audiences.
- Screen Reader Compatibility and Customizable Multimedia Displays
STQRY Apps and STQRY Kiosks support screen readers, enhancing digital accessibility for visually impaired visitors. These tools also allow for the integration of multimedia—such as text, images, audio, and video—ensuring content is available in multiple formats to suit various sensory needs.
- Multilingual Support
To reach a global audience, STQRY integrates Google Translate for written content and Amazon Polly for text-to-speech conversion, offering multilingual audio guides in over 55 languages. This feature helps international visitors and non-native speakers engage with exhibits in their preferred language.
By integrating these features, STQRY empowers institutions to create visitor experiences that are adaptable and inclusive, meeting the needs of diverse audiences. We’re committed to continuously innovating and providing solutions that foster accessible and engaging environments for all.
Case Studies: Improving Accessibility at Cultural Institutions
The Walt Disney Family Museum offers a great example of how accessibility strategies can transform the visitor experience. Using STQRY’s platform, the museum developed an app that includes an ASL tour for deaf and hard-of-hearing guests, an audio-guided tour for blind or low-vision visitors, and a social story that provides a virtual walk-through for neurodiverse visitors. These features align directly with the strategies we’ve discussed, showing how digital tools can enhance physical and communication accessibility. The app also supports 11 languages, showing a commitment to multilingual support that broadens the experience for international and non-English-speaking visitors. By integrating these features, the museum has set a benchmark for how cultural institutions can use technology to create an inclusive and engaging environment for all visitors.
National Library of New Zealand | Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa demonstrates another way institutions can foster inclusive and immersive experiences. The library features Cliff Whiting’s mural, The Separation of Rangi and Papa, which tells the Māori creation story. Visitors can explore this iconic artwork through a STQRY-powered kiosk, offering content in both English and Māori. This bilingual feature allows visitors to choose their preferred language, ensuring that both local and international audiences can connect with the mural in a meaningful way. By integrating language options, the National Library enriches the cultural experience and makes the content accessible to a wider audience.
These examples highlight the effectiveness of combining STQRY’s tools with inclusive design principles to create welcoming spaces that meet the needs of diverse audiences, regardless of their abilities or language preferences.
Accessibility and inclusive design are vital for creating visitor experiences that resonate with diverse audiences. Focusing on accessibility doesn’t just broaden an organization’s reach—it enhances the quality of the experience offered. As digital tools like STQRY continue to evolve, it becomes easier for museums, galleries, historic sites, and other attractions to implement accessible solutions that make a real impact.
By prioritizing accessibility, institutions can create spaces where every visitor feels welcome and engaged, regardless of their abilities. The future of visitor engagement is inclusive, and STQRY is proud to help organizations make that future a reality.