Towards a more inclusive science communication in museums: A case study of Brazilians with visual disabilities

Author: Jessica Norberto Rocha – Cecierj Foundation, Brazilian National Inst. of Communication of Science and Technology, Brazil

Co-authors:

• Willian de Abreu – National Inst. of Communication of Science and Technology, Brazil
• Mariana Fernandes – Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil
• Luisa Massarani – Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, National Inst. of Communication of Science and Technology, Brazil

Access to science and its communication by people with disabilities are still a barrier. In Latin America, most of the actions to promote accessibility in science communication institutions and museums are being performed on physical infrastructures. However, regarding communicational and attitudinal accessibility, they still have only a few actions and the culture of inclusion is not incorporated into institutional policy and the allocation of financial resources. This mostly happens because many countries are still unable to guarantee the rights of people with disabilities and numerous barriers are imposed in their participation in the scientific universe. In this case study, through a content analysis of qualitative interviews, we discuss how blind and low vision adults from Brazil approach the issue of science in their lives. In the data analysis, we noticed that although they express the desire to engage in science, they claim that disabled peoples’ access to education and opportunities to live experiences that add to their cultural capital is difficult. Also, we focus on inclusion and accessibility in science museums, bringing some results and discussions of research conducted with the museum management personnel about institutional policies, funding and human resources training. This research aims to understand contexts and personal stories that impact people with disabilities in the engagement in science and how they feel or not included to transform practices towards a more inclusive science and its communication.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Visual presentation
Theme: Transformation