“Let’s Live Together” - Sharjah Museums will use Arabic and English sign language
In an endeavor to make art and culture accessible for all community members including the hearing-impaired, a program for in Arabic and English sign language will be used inside Sharjah museums as part of “Let’s Live Together” initiative.
The initiative launched by the Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) aims to integrate all groups in the community of all abilities to create a more inclusive museum environment for hearing people and the hearing-impaired.
The initiative, which took place at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, offered a range of activities in sign language such as a presentation of five unique collections taken from various Sharjah museums, including the Islamic Civilization, Archaeology, and Calligraphy.
Manal Ataya, Director General of SMA said that the initiative aims to spread a culture of understanding and aspires to build more bridges connecting diverse groups of our community by highlighting the needs of people with hearing impairments and the challenges facing them.
She said: “everyone in our community is entitled to an enjoyable museum experience that meets their needs and although every museum is different; we can still maximize their social impact”.
Ataya added that ‘Let’s Live Together’ is inspired by the principles of the year of tolerance and comes as part of SMA’s ongoing efforts to position museums as accessible spaces for all members of the community and to meet public needs by providing the best services and engaging by way of effective educational programs. Among other programs is the publication of SMA’s new journal, ‘Museums in the Middle East Journal’, with its first edition focusing on Best Practices of Art & Culture for People with Different Disabilities. The journal highlights and promotes the best programs that support people with disabilities currently taking place at art galleries, museums, libraries, and cultural organizations around the Middle East.
‘Museums in the Middle East Journal - Best Practices of Art & Culture for People with Different Disabilities’ is available for download free of charge from SMA’s website: www.sharjahmuseums.ae
Earlier the Sharjah Museums Authority signed up to the new 'Commitment to the Care of the Elderly' document. This document ties in with Sharjah’s membership of the World Health Organization’s global ‘Age-friendly Cities’ network, which will adopt international standards for age-friendly cities and improve the accessibility of SMA’s museums for citizens and residents aged over 60 and to increase engagement with elderly members of society.
“As part of their daily duties, staff are trained to recognize and respond to any potential issues that could negatively impact the comfort of older visitors, with wheelchairs, walking aids available wherever necessary, - the official statement of the SMA said. - Also provided in all museums is a ‘Museum Guide’ booklet, which is written in large text for the benefit of visually impaired visitors, along with hearing aids for members of the public with hearing issues. SMA staff, including mentors, receptionist, visitors' service supervisors, event organizers, librarians and educators, all undergo regular training in the latest best practices in order to deliver the highest standards of service to older visitors.”
In 2016 Sharjah joined the ‘Age-friendly Cities’ network, becoming the first city in the Arab region to demonstrate its commitment to the health and well-being of elderly members of society.