Spy Museum to Make Exhibits Accessible

Adding closed captioning to videos is among steps the International Spy Museum will take to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act. (By Rich Lipski -- The Washington Post)
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· A tactile map for visually impaired visitors.

· Improved wheelchair seating areas and companion seats in theaters and the cafe.

· Lower mirrors in the restrooms.

· A lower visitors' desk to make it easier for people in wheelchairs to buy tickets.

· Appointment of a museum official responsible for ADA compliance.

The Justice Department cited a wide range of failings, especially in the areas of exhibition communication and comfort. For instance, they said too much force was required to open the doors to the restrooms. All the door handles have been changed and the door closers adjusted.

"Since 2005 the museum has undertaken remedial measures, and in some instances, has installed state-of-the-art technologies in the museum to comply with ADA," the report said.

How could the museum have opened with so many problems?

Amanda Abrell, the museum's media relations manager, said, "Architectural standards are very clear but there is no set of standards for exhibits and programs."

Jamie Hais, a spokeswoman at Justice, said the 2004 complaint was the first the department received about the Spy Museum.

Other institutions, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, have been leaders in providing materials for the visually impaired, said Ford W. Bell, president of the American Association of Museums.