Olena Zelenska's initiative "Barrier-free" x DCA
As part of the first lady Mrs. Zelenska's project "Barrier-free" www.bf.in.ua, together with the consulting agency DCA (diversity consulting agency) MOSHCH agency created assets for space adaptation program of the Johann Georg Pinzel Museum of the Sacral Baroque Sculpture www.pinsel-ar.com
Design team:
As part of the first lady Mrs. Zelenska's project "Barrier-free" www.bf.in.ua, together with the consulting agency DCA (diversity consulting agency) MOSHCH agency created assets for space adaptation program of the Johann Georg Pinzel Museum of the Sacral Baroque Sculpture www.pinsel-ar.com
Client:
Olena Zelenska's initiative ‘Without barriers’, DCA (diversity consulting agency)
Mission:
Space adaptation to the needs for people with ASD, people with health conditions or impairments
Task:
Create of social story (step-by-step instructions) for people on the autistic spectrum, supporting materials for spatial orientation in the Johann Georg Pinzel Museum of the Sacral Baroque Sculpture www.pinsel-ar.com
Design team:
Bohdana Moshchenko and Serhii Boiarhukov
"Barrier-free" NGO is an is an expert organization that promotes universal design, inclusion and respect for diversity. On the initiative of the first lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska "Barrier-free", the National Strategy for the creation of a barrier-free space in Ukraine until 2030 was adopted and the plan of measures for its implementation for 2021 and 2022 was approved.
DCA (diversity consulting agency)—an agency that advises businesses, services, public institutions and places on issues of accessibility for people with mental differences. For several years, they implemented a program for adapting spaces for people with ASD, and over time made it universal and attractive for people with all kinds of mental characteristics. The goal is to create conditions under which all visitors can get a customer experience without any outside help, regardless of conditions and diagnoses. An adapted space for people whose brain and nervous system function differently is primarily a structured space and a familiar environment.
Being a part of MOSHCH agency together with Serhii Boiarchukov we created a bunch of icons for alternative communication cards. In the case of a crisis situation of an ASD person or difficulties arising from verbal communication, person can use these cards. These cards are a kind of hint and instruction on behavior in the museum.
Social story (step-by-step instructions) for people on the autistic spectrum.
"Barrier-freeness opens up opportunities. I saw this for myself here, at the Pinzel Museum, immersing myself in the world of a great genius—through sounds, touches and visually. The strength, powerful energy and at the same time calmness conveyed by the works of this master of sculpture became available to everyone. And this is, without exaggeration, a unique event that will definitely be reflected on the artistic map of the world."
—First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska
"Art should be barrier-free."
—First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska
We also created reminders for museum employees that will help them act in crisis situations with people with ASD and draw the route of passing exhibits in the museum.
"Barrier-free is the philosophy of a society without restrictions. It is about the inner readiness to create an environment in which everyone will be comfortable. A powerful team is involved in the Action Plan—it is representatives of the authorities together with representatives of the public. I would not even call it an Action Plan, but a Change Plan. And this is about the changes that can be implemented in the next two years and should contribute to barrier-free becoming a new social norm."
—First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska
