Designing Inclusive Museum Exhibitions: A Cost-Effective Approach to Sensory Accessibility

Access to cultural institutions is essential for all individuals. People with disabilities, however, often face significant barriers. This paper details the efforts to enhance museum accessibility for individuals with sensory disabilities in the NI Institute and Museum Bitola. Initially, we discuss the creation of tactile exhibitions, highlighting the challenges encountered and the solutions implemented. Furthermore, we explore the measures taken to improve accessibility for people with hearing and speech impairments. By leveraging QR codes and NFC tags, all visitors can use their own mobile phones as personal guides, thereby enhancing museum accessibility for everyone. The participation of the Balkan Museum Network in the SHIFT project represents the next phase. Through the use of AI and modern technologies, this initiative aims to significantly improve museum accessibility, setting a new standard for inclusivity.