In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will be a mentoring site for National Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) on October 15, 2014. Coordinated locally in New York City by the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, last year’s DMD event connected nearly 16,300 students and job seekers with disabilities with thousands of employers in more than 250 locations across the U.S. The Museum is pleased to participate in this national movement to promote the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Earlier this year, the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) approved a Diversity and Inclusion Policy that links institutional excellence with successfully seeking out and involving diverse audiences, volunteers and staff. The term “diversity” incorporates a wide range of experiences and perspectives including age, ethnicity, gender, language, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, education, and physical, mental and developmental disabilities. Diversity is natural and ever-present in society. Inclusion, however, is purposeful and requires effort.
Today, people with disabilities represent the largest minority group, comprising upwards of 56 million Americans. Disability can affect anyone’s life at any given moment in a myriad of ways. For some people, these experiences are temporary. For others, their disability is a lifelong experience. |
All year round, the Museum offers resources and programs for visitors with disabilities.
For visitors with limited mobility:
- Because of Intrepid’s status as a historic landmark, most, although not all, of the Museum is fully accessible by wheelchair. You can also browse the Museum’s Video Gallery to learn more about the Museum’s collections and exhibitions.
- Lightweight stools are available to borrow at the Information Desk.
For visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing:
- All videos in exhibition spaces are captioned.
- The audio guide is compatible with a neck loop and is available as a video guide in American Sign Language.
- ASL interpretation is available for students and adults upon request with advance notice.
- ASL-led tours are offered throughout the year.
For visitors who are blind or partially sighted:
- Verbal description and tactile guide books with talking smart pens are available at the Information Desk, along with large print exhibition guides.
- Guided verbal description and touch tours of the Museum are provided by museum educators upon request with advance notice.
For children and adults with developmental disabilities:
- Two-hour Access Family Programs are offered on select weekends. Based on rotating themes, educators lead guided multi-sensory explorations of the Museum that conclude with hands-on activities.
For children with autism and their families:
- In order to provide a sensory-friendly environment, the Museum opens its doors early for Early Morning Openings, which are offered on select weekends. Based on rotating themes, educators lead abbreviated guided explorations of the Museum that conclude with hands-on activities and interactive exhibits in the Exploreum.
- Recommendations and resources for families visiting the Museum include a social story and a quiet map.
For visitors with dementia and their caregivers:
- “The Stories Within” program series is offered in the spring and fall.
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