Eleventh International Conference on The Inclusive Museum

Abstract

The State Biology museum named after K. A. Timiryazev is a unique Moscow museum (Russia) presenting all major branches of biology. In 2017 the museum celebrated its ninety-fifth anniversary. Since its foundation, the museum has focused on public education, including people with special needs. The building of the museum is on a historical heritage site of federal significance, which was built in the late-nineteenth century by philanthropist and art collector Pyotr Shchukin. Therefore it is not possible to install elevators and alter the entrance zone. That is why wheelchair access to the main building may be problematic. But a small park and a conservatory are available for these visitors. Although most of the exposition is presented in glass display cases, a number of exhibits are freely available and accessible for touch. Their labels are duplicated in Braille. The conservatory might be especially interesting for people with complete loss of vision. They can touch and feel different plant leaves, air roots, and carnivorous plants, and feel the aroma of flowers and leaves. Since 1997 the museum has had an interactive exposition, based on a “hands-on” principle. It helps visitors to understand the problems of blind people. The exposition of the museum was not created purposefully for people with special needs and there is no special zone allocated for such visitors. Our museum offers ninety thematic guided tours, many topics of which correspond to the school educational program. Most of the thematic guided tours are adapted for people with special needs.