Museums in Campeche are 100% accessible for people with disabilites

Under the understanding that museums should be understandable, comfortable and safe environments for all people, the four museums that the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) operates in Campeche:

1. Maya Architecture, Baluarte de la Soledad
2. Maya Archeology Fuerte de San Miguel
3. Underwater Archeology Fuerte de San José el Alto
4. Maya Archeology Camino Real de Hecelchakán

Are considered the first set of cultural spaces that, on a national scale, are 100 percent accessible for people with disabilities.

“This means that the exhibition areas, access and services, are suitable for people with disabilities”, informed the architect Claudia Escalante Díaz, director of Museums of the INAH Campeche Center and coordinator of the project entitled Accessibility Enabling.

The initiative was based on the opinion of users of three museums in San Francisco de Campeche and one in the municipality of Hecelchakán, in order to detect the problems of each one in terms of accessibility.

The exception was the Museum of Underwater Archeology (Marsub) – inaugurated in December last year – that was designed under an inclusive scheme and required only modifications for access, pododactile guides and a web app.

“From this diagnosis and with the management of federal representative Adriana Ortiz, a resource was assigned by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, which was exercised by the government of Campeche in the project prepared by INAH and the supervision of the Museum Management of the INAH Campeche Center” explained Claudia Escalante.

This allowed to install ramps and corridors for wheelchairs and walkers in rooms and courtyards, pododactile lines for blind and visually impaired persons, as well as handrails and other implements in lockers and toilets. Similarly, wheelchairs were provided to each property for the free use of visitors with reduced mobility and older adults. The Project of Accessibility Enabling in the four museums of the INAH Campeche Center is an unparalleled effort that will promote the dissemination and care of the cultural heritage of that state.

TYT Newsroom with information from milenio.com