The Amsterdam School is a significant movement in the fields of art, architecture, and social housing. This expressionist art and architectural style, which is inextricably linked to the development of social housing, inherently embodies social equality.
That is why Amsterdam School Museum Het Schip—including Museum De Dageraad—continuously strives for optimal accessibility for everyone. A disability should not be a barrier.
Together with our visitors and museum staff, we work on improving existing facilities and developing future possibilities. After all, our visitors are best suited to advise us on what they need to experience the museum as engaging and fully accessible. Additionally, we seek advice from organizations with specific expertise regarding these visitor groups.
Facilities for visitors with disabilities
Visitors who are deaf or have an auditive disability
Wherever possible, the museum already takes deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors into account. Text boards hang in the permanent and temporary exhibitions. The auditorium of Museum Het Schip shows a subtitled introductory film about The Amsterdam School. Two films with subtitles in Dutch and English are shown in Museum De Dageraad. With the help of the target group, it is being investigated whether more adjustments to the permanent and temporary exhibitions are interesting or necessary for them.
Visitors who are visually impaired or blind
Together with the target group, knowledge centres such as Visio, Bartiméus and the Eye Association, and of course all our staff, we are working hard to make our museum and programming increasingly accessible to visitors with visual impairments. Currently, blind and visually impaired visitors still need an attendant to visit the museum. However, groups of visitors can be welcomed, if necessary accompanied by an expert from our cooperation partners.
Visitors with mobility aids
The aids available in Museum Het Schip consist of a wheelchair and walking sticks with seat. A lift is available in Museum Het Schip. There is no lift in Museum De Dageraad.
Visitors with dementia
One in five people will develop dementia. In 2022, in collaboration with the Mantelzorg en Dementie West (Informal Care and Dementia West Foundation), we investigated how to use an existing series of activities (guided tours, workshops, Amsterdam School pub quiz) to develop a cheerful and beautiful programme suitable for people with dementia. The expertise of the educators of Museum Het Schip and the experts of the Mantelzorg en Dementie Foundation will be combined in this programme.
Social connection initiatives
Research in Amsterdam recently found that around 80,000 people feel severely lonely in the capital. That is about 10 per cent of the population. In cooperation with the municipality of Amsterdam (West Verbindt) and social organisations such as Cordaan, Hebron, Buurtcentrum de Horizon and Combiwell, we create an offer that connects people with each other and with their surroundings and gives them a sense of belonging. In 2021, a pilot was launched with a group of visitors in collaboration with Hebron. It combines the expertise of the educators of Museum Het Schip and Buurthulp West. At the end of 2021, the first special exhibition with the works of this group of visitors was shown partly in the Museum and partly in Hebron.
Want to contribute?
Museum Het Schip is continuously learning what works best. Engaging in ongoing dialogue with visitors and experts is not only rewarding but also highlights the societal value of museums. Museums have an important role in fostering connection, education, and inclusivity, contributing to a more enjoyable and tolerant society.
Do you have an idea you would like to share, or would you like to contribute (financially) to improving the museum’s accessibility? Please contact us at
Partners
Visio
Kubes
Bartimeus
Oogfonds
De Zonnebloem
Buurthulp West
Stichting Mantelzorg en Dementie West
