Senses in Dialogue

A participatory approach to accessibility for the IMMA collection

Hands explore the architectural model of the museum's building, focusing on the details of the miniature structure.

Off Stream is collaborating with the Foundation of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and the Modern History of Macedonia to conduct a feasibility study on ensuring equal access to its exhibition content for people with sensory impairments. This collaboration forms part of IMMA’s wider strategy to strengthen accessibility and inclusion and reflects Off Stream’s commitment to culture without exclusion.

The study focuses on access for persons with partial or total vision loss, as well as for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. It is grounded in the principles of Inclusive Design and Creative Access and incorporates methods of Participatory Design.

A woman touches a traditional costume displayed on a mannequin, exploring the materials and embroidery in the museum, while another woman next to her is describing what she is touching.

Guided by the core principle of the disability movement “nothing about us without us”, the working group includes collaborators with sensory impairments who work closely with professionals specialising in Greek Sign Language interpretation, museology, museum education and modern history.

The study will be delivered in both printed and digital formats, in accordance with international accessibility standards. It will serve as a guide for the design of actions and interventions to be implemented gradually as part of a long-term strategic plan.

The project's team is guided inside the main exhibition space, with simultaneous sign language interpretation and tactile exploration.

In collaboration with IMMA, our aim is to develop solutions that remove exclusionary barriers and promote meaningful participation in the museum experience for all, supporting equal access to culture. The project is implemented with the financial support and under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Directorate of Modern Cultural Heritage.

Learn more about ΙΜΜΑ:

ΙΜΜΑ

People seated around a table engage in a discussion in the museum space, with documents, a laptop and notes laid out.

Credits

Scientific Responsibility: Οff Stream
General Supervision: Stavroula Mavrogeni, Professor PAMAK, Director KEMIT-IMMA
Supervision, Coordination, Museological Guidance: Athina Pavlidou, Philologist-Museologist, Cultural Manager, IMMA Director
Research & Writing: Stela Anastasaki, Art Historian-Archaeologist and Christina Vlachou, Cultural Manager-Economist
Scientific Support – Museological Accessibility: Chara Kanari, Associate Professor TEPAE AUTH
Scientific Support – Accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing & Greek Sign Language Interpretation: Spiros Kouzelis, certified GSL interpreter
Focus Group: Matina Dritsa, Rafailia Kaklimani, Dora Moirasgenti, Fani Tsikoura
Graphic Design: Mariza Tsakona
Photography: Hichem Merouche