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Human Rights Museum Honoured as One Most Accessible Places in Canada

Jun 01, 2017

Canadian Museum for Human Rights

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights has been inducted by the foundation into its Circle of Excellence as one of five places within Canada that exemplify best practices in universal access.

According the the foundation:

"The Canadian Museum of Human Rights is a world class destination located on Treaty One territory in the heart of the Metis nation. Careful archeological, design and planning methodologies were employed to ensure a respectful outcome reflective of barrier-free goals to access for all people.

Exhibits and programming are accessible by design. There are over a dozen methods of communicating the human rights message including:

  • Staff and volunteers speak 70+ languages;
  • Tactile and colour contrasting lettering, Braille, ASL translation on all screens;
  • Apps for android and smart phones and near field communication tools;
  • Open captioning;
  • Signage in French and English; and
  • Universal key pad options throughout the displays.

The building also boasts a number of state-of-the-art physical access features including:

  • Accessible washrooms with large turning radiuses;
  • Universal toilet rooms complete with adjustable transfer benches;
  • Accessible entrance, power doors, elevators, ramps and low level reception desks;
  • Accessible resting areas like the reflection ponds;
  • Accessible benches with optional back rests and variable widths between arm rests;
  • Complete access to the outdoor courtyard; and
  • Accessible ATM with audible plug-ins, and display plug-in options."

The other venues inducted into the Circle of Excellence are:

  • The Richmond Olympic Oval, Richmond, BC
  • The Walterdale Theatre, Edmonton, AB
  • Celebration Square, Mississauga, ON
  • François Dupuis Recreation Centre, Ottawa, ON 

Click here for more information on the foundations Circle of Excellence.

Click here for more information on the foundation's description of the museum.

 

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