The Museums Commission held a virtual open talk on Monday, August 25, 2025, titled “Museums: Inclusivity and Accessibility for People with Disabilities.”
The event brought together leading specialists and experts to discuss removing physical, sensory, and technological barriers that people with disabilities encounter when visiting museums. The goal is to foster a more inclusive museum experience catering to a broader range of visitors.
The session was moderated by Director of the Red Sea Museum Eman Zidan, with sign language interpretation provided by Abdul Salam Al-Mughainim from the Al-Amal Institute for the Deaf in Riyadh. Participants included Director of Al Masmak Palace Museum Jihad Al-Faraj; Executive Director of the Al Nour Wal Amal Music Institute from Egypt Nagat Radwan; Official Spokesperson for the Authority for the Care of People with Disabilities Khaled Khabrani; and Head of Visitor Services at the National Museum from the Sultanate of Oman Khawla Al Habsi.
According to a press release issued by the commission, the speakers focused on three practical themes: adopting sustainable institutional policies that promote inclusivity; adapting architectural design and display methods to be multi-sensory and considerate of all; and utilizing assistive technologies alongside regular training programs for staff and guides.
Local, regional (Arab), and international experiences in implementing accessibility standards were also discussed. The conversation highlighted tools and innovations supporting inclusive access, such as audio guides, multi-sensory interpretation methods, and accessible pathways for people with disabilities.
Jihad Al-Faraj presented practical examples from Al Masmak Palace Museum, noting that the museum recently welcomed a significant number of visitors with disabilities at the "Two Swords and a Palm Tree" exhibition.
He also highlighted the museum's collaboration with organizations such as the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the King Abdulaziz Foundation (Darah) to develop accessible pathways and facilities while addressing challenges associated with historical buildings.
Khaled Khabrani emphasized the importance of institutional integration and coordinated efforts, referencing a memorandum of understanding signed with the Saudi Museums Commission to improve service quality, facilitate access, and enhance the experience of people with disabilities at museum exhibitions, events, and related programs.
Khawla Al-Habsi added that inclusivity has become a core principle in modern museum policies. She highlighted the launch of audio guides at the National Museum in the Sultanate of Oman, along with policies aimed at facilitating access and training staff in sign language and professional communication techniques.
Professor Nagat Radwan, a leading expert in the field, shared in-depth insights on establishing the orchestra for visually impaired musicians. She detailed the process, from recruiting experts and adapting musical scores and training methods to inspecting the theater and its equipment, along with acceptance and training programs that cater to various age groups.
The release added that the discussions concluded with actionable recommendations, including strengthening cooperation between museums and specialized local organizations, integrating universal design and multi-sensory technologies into museum and historical site planning, establishing standardized accessibility criteria, and intensifying training programs for staff and guides to ensure effective communication and a dignified museum experience for all visitors.
This discussion is part of the commission's monthly series of open talks aimed at addressing key topics in the museum sector, raising awareness, sharing expertise and best practices, and contributing to the development of museums in the Kingdom in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
