December 28, 2024
Integrating Universal Design Principles Into Museum Programs: Enhancing Accessibility for All Audiences
Museum Education Division Preconvention
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 | 8:45am–5:00pm ET
In Person | Speed Art Museum, Louisville, KY
The call for presentations closed on Monday, January 13, 2025.
Preconvention Description:
Join the Museum Education Division of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) for our NAEA25 Preconvention offering hands-on, in-depth exploration of integrating Universal Design principles into museum programming and ensuring accessibility for diverse audiences. Discover design strategies for practical, inclusive experiences that meet the needs of visitors of all abilities. Exchange ideas on how to apply these principles into program development, gallery teaching, and community engagement, from the core to the periphery. Through case studies, collaborative exercises, and discussions, we will identify ways to make museum programs and experiences welcoming and inclusive for all.
Walk away with actionable tools to incorporate accessibility into your own practice, fostering a more inclusive environment in museums. This Preconvention will empower you to reimagine how you deliver content and connect with your audience through a focused lens on accessibility.
Call for Proposals:
The call for presentations closed on Monday, January 13, 2025.
The Museum Education Division of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) invites proposals for the NAEA25 Preconvention focusing on the integration of Universal Design principles to create accessible and inclusive museum programs. This event will bring together museum professionals, educators, and advocates to explore how Universal Design can be applied to ensure equitable access for all audiences, including those with disabilities.
We welcome proposals for sessions that address the following themes:
- Practical Applications of Universal Design: Share your strategies for implementing Universal Design in program creation, gallery teaching, and community outreach.
- Case Studies: Present real-world examples of how museums have successfully incorporated accessibility into their programming, spaces, and resources.
- Collaborative Approaches to Accessibility: Showcase partnerships that have led to more inclusive and accessible programming in museums or cultural spaces.
- Innovative Tools and Resources: Highlight new technologies, adaptive methods, or resources that make museum programs more accessible.
- Audience Engagement: Discuss how universal design impacts visitor experience and engagement, especially for diverse audiences with varying needs.
- Evaluating and Improving Accessibility: Offer insights on how to assess and improve accessibility in museum programs, incorporating visitor feedback and ongoing evaluation methods.
Proposal Guidelines:
- Proposals must be submitted by Monday, January 13, 2025, at 12:00am ET.
- Presenters must be NAEA members.
- If selected, presenters must register and attend Preconvention in person.
- Presenters must pay their full Preconvention fee (sorry, no discounts).
- Proposals will be anonymously reviewed; please do not include identifying information (such as the name of your museum) in the proposal description. Reviewers will not receive your contact information.
- Preconvention sessions are meant to be conversational, interactive, and/or demonstrations of best practices, not the kind of presentation you’d give at the full Convention.
- Sessions will take place in the galleries, and no technology will be available (= no PowerPoints).
- Presenters will share their sessions TWICE at the Preconvention. For each session, you should be prepared to present a 30- to 40-minute in-gallery experience, and allow time for questions, responses, and feedback.
The call for presentations closed on Monday, January 13, 2025.
Final presenters will be notified of their selection on Friday, January 17, 2025.
NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT: We are all stretched thin these days, so don’t agonize over your proposal to make it “perfect.” It’s more important that you share your ideas and thoughts rather than have smooth transition sentences or perfect editing. We want your contribution!
If you have any questions about the proposal process email: naeamused@gmail.com.
We are happy to help!
We are excited to see you in Louisville on March 19!
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