Accessibility Statement

Name of museum: The Young Gallery

Name of governing body: The Young & Creasey Gallery Trust (Charity Number 1186571)

The access policy will be published and reviewed from time to time, at least once every five years.

Introduction

The Museum is committed to maximising access for everyone, without discrimination. The Museum works to minimise or remove barriers that can prevent people from engaging with the building, collections, website, social media channels, engagement programmes, staff and volunteers.

The Museum's Statement of Purpose is:

To advance the education of the public by establishing and maintaining for exhibition to the public a collection of watercolours, paintings, prints and drawings which are of artistic merit or historical or topographical interest and in particular watercolours, paintings, prints and drawings of Salisbury and the surrounding area. And to provide a museum for promoting the study and general knowledge of literature and the arts and sciences generally.

The Museum is committed to creating engaging access for all our users, within the necessary constraints necessarily imposed by available resources and facilities, as well as considerations for the conservation and security of the collection and building.

The Museum recognises that access is a complex, changing issue that requires a commitment from all involved in the organisation. The Museum advocates that increased access benefits all, not just those with specific needs.

1. Scope

This policy covers the Museum's activities within its designated building, online and digital resources including the website and other online activities, and outreach programmes. It should be read alongside the Forward Plan and Access Plan.

2. Purpose

This policy sets out the Museum's commitment to maximising access for users and to identifying the ways in which this can be achieved across the organisation. It has been based upon findings from the Access Audit that forms part of the Access Plan.

3. Access to policy

The Access policy is available to users and potential users on our website and on request.

4. Management of Policy

Wiltshire Council as the sole Trustee for the Trust is responsible for ensuring that the museum meets its obligations under the Equality Act (2010) by doing everything reasonably possible to make the Museum accessible to the widest range of people. The policy will be reviewed at least every five years and after any significant changes to industry standards.

5. Definition of terms

5.1 Access

The opportunity to engage with the Museum's building, collections, content and expertise.

5.2 Barriers to Access

There are several key barriers to access which include:

Physical - helping people with physical disabilities, limited mobility, the elderly and those caring for young people to reach and appreciate most of the museum and its collections. Where physical access is not possible for all, we will seek to make alternative arrangements that provide some experience of that part of the collection or service.
Intellectual - helping people who may find the museum too specialist and those with additional learning needs to engage with and enjoy the museum by providing appropriate forms of interpretation that take account of different learning styles and languages aside from English.
Sensory - assisting those with impaired vision or hearing and who are neurodivergent to enjoy and appreciate the museum's building, collections and exhibitions.
Social - assisting those who face social issues such as isolation, loneliness and unemployment to feel welcome and included.
Geographic - giving access where possible to people who will live too far away to visit the museum or have limited access to transport.
Cultural - recognising cultural differences and that some people may feel that the museum is not relevant to them as it does not reflect their cultural or social heritage, or interests. The museum seeks to enable those for whom English is not a first language, or whose knowledge of English history or culture may be limited, to feel included.
Financial - recognising that some people may be unable to afford to take part in the paid parts of our programmes. The museum shall endeavour to maintain a free offer and ensure the prices for any paid activity is as reasonable as possible, consistent with maintaining the financial viability of the institution.
Technological - acknowledging that some people may not have access to the internet or a mobile phone.
Attitudinal - awareness that some people may have a lack of interest in, or knowledge of the museum, it's programmes and the subjects and issues it deals with.

6. Delivery of Policy

6.1 Physical access