People with disability need point to point accessibility in

Introducing ramps and wheelchairs for mobility of differently abled visitors in museums is not enough, what is needed is 'point to point accessibility' to them, an expert on the subject said on Monday.

Addressing a programme on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Sinddhant Shah also called for sensitising the ground staff of museums about the special needs of differently abled people as they interact directly with them.

Point to point accessibility in museums is crucial for the blind and those afflicted with other forms of disability, he said at a discussion on 'Making Museums Accessible' at the Victoria Memorial Hall here.

"Accessibility is not just addressing issues like introducing wheelchair for mobility of the people. It is also about bridging other gaps," Shah said stressing on braille scripts and tactile renditions of the exhibits.

By tactile renditions, differently abled visitors can touch and feel a replica of an exhibit.

Asked on measures to be taken to make the museum more friendly to those afflicted with disability, Shah told the Curator of the Victoria Memorial Jayanta Sengupta, "Hire people with disability, at least 10 per cent of the staff."
Stating that the Victoria Memorial authorities were renovating and upgrading the museum, Sengupta said "We want to set it as a template for other institutions... by making the museum accessible."