The purpose of this presentation is to present the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum as a case study of a cultural heritage institution that is completely revamping its approach to inclusion through setting a new standard for accessibility of its digital exhibition interactives and media. Considered a vital part of transforming the museum, NASM has had to re-examine all aspects of producing digital exhibition elements in pursuit of its new approach, and will share this, as well as lessons learned along the way. I will direct this presentation primarily to cultural heritage professionals who are creating a new exhibition or redoing all of their exhibitions, and who are looking to improve the inclusivity of their digital interactives and media pieces. From this presentation, these cultural heritage professionals would gain an understanding of: 1) considerations that go into a wholesale revamping of a cultural institution’s revamping of their accessibility approach; 2) tactics for improving the inclusivity of their interactives for people with vision, brain, hearing, and mobility-based disabilities; and 3) internal and external stakeholders to involve throughout the process.

1. Opening Our Doors Wider:
Transforming Our Approach to Inclusion via Digital Interactives
and Media at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum
Sarah Banks - Exhibits Media Manager

2. Background
• Updating and modernizing the
National Air and Space
Museum from top to bottom
with completion estimated for
2025.
• Unprecedented opportunity for
change in our exhibits, common
spaces, programs, and ways of
working

3. What Does it Mean to Transform?
1) What does it mean to be a transformed museum?
2) How will we better serve and inspire our visitors?

4. Step 1: Determine Our Baseline
• Previous Approach:
• Evolved one gallery at a time
• Key tactics included:
• Open captioning for videos
• ADA standards for physical design
• Standards for accessible web design

5. Step 2: Look for Inspiration
• Canadian Museum for Human
Rights in Winnipeg, Canada
• Museum of Science in Boston,
United States

6. Step 3: Involve Stakeholders and Standardize Tactics
Three Key Questions:
1. How do we involve external stakeholders in meaningful ways and incorporate
their expertise?
2. How do we keep internal stakeholders apprised and involved when there are
many other efforts happening at the same time?
3. How can we standardize tactics to fill the gaps in our baseline?

7. Step 3: Involve External Stakeholders
Institute for Human
Centered Design
Access Smithsonian
User/Experts
Trace Research and
Development Center at the
University of Maryland and
Assistra

8. Step 3: Involve Internal Stakeholders
Senior Leadership
Exhibits Technology Department
Exhibits Department
Visitor Services Department
Education Department
Curatorial Departments

9. Step 3: Our Transformed Set of Standards … to Date
Our goal is to create more inclusive exhibitions via digital interactives
and media by better serving people with:
• Vision Disabilities
• Hearing Disabilities
• Mobility Disabilities
• Brain-Based Disabilities

10. Tactics for People with Vision Disabilities
• Accessible keypad
• Screen reader
• Audio instructions
• Audio description
• Alt text
• Consistent locations for navigation
elements
• Typographic legibility
• Contrast and focus

11. Tactics for People with Hearing Disabilities
• Narrative audio edits
• Induction loops
• Open captions
• Visitor-operated volume controls

12. Tactics for People with Mobility Disabilities
• Position and sizing of touchable elements
• Accessible keypads
• Single touch buttons
• Recovery methods

13. Tactics for People with Brain-Based Disabilities
• Avoid unnecessary complexity in
contents, design or user interface
• Reduce the amount of text where
possible and break it into chunks
• Write text for clarity and avoid
abstraction where possible
• Provide supporting imagery where
appropriate
• Avoid distracting animation effects while
content is being displayed
• Locate navigation elements in consistent
places
• Provide information in multiple formats

14. Some Lessons Learned
• Visit other museums and learn about what they are doing
• Document your standards and keep updating them
• Communicate internally about what you are doing and why
• Make sure potential contractors know your commitment to inclusivity

15. Some Lessons Learned - Continued
• Do user expert testing - even six people can make a huge impact
• Save development time and resources for following up on user expert testing
• Record what you learn and either take action or keep a record for future projects

16. Thanks! Any Questions!
My Contact Info:
Sarah Banks
bankss@si.edu