An Accessible Past

Gearing up for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, this week’s review offers guidance and examples of ways historical sites can improve their accessibility and comply with the American Disabilities Act.

Posted on December 2, 2024 in Reviews of the Month

An Accessible Past: Making Historic Sites Accessible to All

ed. by Heather Pressman Rowman & Littlefield, 2023
292p bibl index, 9781538168257 $120.00, 9781538168264 $49.00, 9781538168271 $46.50

Accessibility and inclusion have long been issues in museums, particularly historical sites, which often face unique challenges. An Accessible Past offers indispensable information for how organizations can meet legal compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and provide enriching, equitable experiences for people with different abilities and backgrounds. Part 1 addresses what access is and why it is important, and gives a brief history of disability laws, especially the implications of ADA for historical sites. It closes with steps for making historical sites more accessible. Part 2 examines 12 novel case studies across a spectrum of museum sites—from an 18th-century house to senior living facilities—to illuminate museum sites’ unique challenges. Each case study illustrates how creative programming and physical accessibility solutions can create greater access and inclusion and demonstrates the compatibility of accessibility and historical integrity. Part 3 and appendix A provide practical, concrete suggestions to practitioners of historical and heritage preservation for actively engaging and resolving any barriers that may limit accessibility and inclusion at institutions. The work is a must read for anyone considering how to increase accessibility at their institution.

Summing Up: Highly recommended. Undergraduates through faculty and especially practitioners.
Reviewer: G. R. Campbell, University of Montana
Interdisciplinary Subject: Law & Society
Subject: Social & Behavioral Sciences – Education
Choice Issue: Jun 2024

An Accessible Past

Gearing up for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, this week’s review offers guidance and examples of ways historical sites can improve their accessibility and comply with the American Disabilities Act.