National Science and Media Museum

Our Solution

Fortunate enough to be the accessibility consultants for the Sound + Vision galleries and the wider museum foyer fit-out that introduced a new welcome desk, seating and dwell areas, temporary exhibitions and a revitalised shop, Mima also recruited and facilitated a lived experience user group made up of six individuals with varying physical, sensory and cognitive impairments and access requirements to act as ‘critical friends’ to the museum, feeding back their thoughts on graphic designs, tactile information, access hub resources and the accessibility and ease of use of various interactives. We’re really proud to say that, over a two year period, the group largely stayed together and built their own community and rapport with the museum, resulting in many of them continuing to work with the museum in various capacities following the opening of Sound + Vision.

When we weren’t facilitating the user group, we worked as part of the design team, led by AOC Architects, and provided technical accessibility and inclusive design input for gallery design, furniture, fixtures and equipment, as well as interactive accessibility and ease of use, and the varying formats of pre-visit and on-site information that both visitors and colleagues with accessibility requirements may benefit from. Highlights included ensuring that party animals entering the ‘gig zone’ would benefit from visual as well as audio feedback so D/deaf and hard of hearing people could engage equitably, thinking about standing and seated viewing heights for Dracula’s fangs, and advising on the accessibility of ‘selfie wall’ with some local garden fairies… you’ve got to see it to believe it!

Visitors to Sound + Vision will be able to try their hand at radio broadcasting, learn how special effects for TV and cinema really work, and experience a new interactive installation based on movement and frame capture that encourages some serious dance moves. Check it out for yourself!

Many thanks to Yvonne Carmichael, Client Project Manager at the National Science and Media Museum for the following testimonial:

“Mima were a pleasure to work with on Sound + Vision and the development of the National Science + Media Museum. Their expertise means that they’re well equipped to comment on the technical drawings for the capital project design and build as well as facilitate workshops with the museum's access panel. It's a holistic approach that has undoubtedly been beneficial to the project, ensuring it is accessible as possible. This has included introducing induction loops, installing new lifts and toilets as well as accessible resources such as tactile models, audio description and BSL.”