Access Policy 2021-23
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 This policy is designed to guide the Royal Army Physical Training Corps (RAPTC) Museum in fulfilling its aim of improving access to its collection, inclusive of both artefacts and the Museum’s library and archival records. It is based on an assessment of the needs of different sections of the population.
1.2 The Museum believes that people from all sections of the community have the right to enjoy its collection and benefit from its activities. It recognises the importance of removing all barriers, physical, social, cultural, emotional, intellectual, geographical or logistical that might deter visitors.
1.3 To accomplish the above, the Museum aims to provide the public with a level of access to its collection as is consistent with its resources and the necessity of ensuring object conservation and security. It aims to create an inclusive, user-friendly experience that will further its ability to act as an educational resource for schools and researchers and spread awareness of the role and history of the RAPTC.
1.4 A more comprehensive view of the Museum’s access requirements can be found in the Access Plan which should be read in conjunction with this document. Reference should also be made to the Forward Plan, Audience Development Plan and Security Plan
2. Defining Access
2.1 Physical Access
To take into account the special needs of groups such as the elderly, the young and the physically disabled in visiting and appreciating every part of the Museum.
2.2 Sensory Access
To enable visitors with impaired vision or hearing to enjoy the Museum and be able to engage with displays.
2.3 Intellectual Access
To recognise that people have different learning styles and provide interpretation that accommodates this. Also to ensure that people with learning difficulties can engage with and enjoy the collections and displays.
2.4 Cultural Access
To consider the needs of people for whom English is not a first language, or whose knowledge of English and military history and culture may be limited.
2.5 Financial Access
To consider that the requirement to pay an admission charge may be a barrier to access for sections of the population.
2.6 Attitudinal Access
To ensure that the Museum environment is a secure space, that staff and volunteers are welcoming to visitors from all types of communities and to ensure the public feels that the Museum is of significance to them
3. Accessibility
3.1 The Museum is usually open each weekday from 10.00 am – 4.00 pm, excepting Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Bank holidays. The fact that the Museum has only one member of staff means that it is closed on such occasions when that person is absent. These closures are indicated on the Museum website and social media accounts. Special openings of the Museum outside of normal visiting hours are available by arrangement with the Curator. This enables group visits and access for those who might not be able to visit during working hours.
3.2 The location of the Museum which is situated behind the wire at the Army School of Physical Training represents an unavoidable barrier to access. Entry is enabled for visitors upon the display of photo ID. This requirement is clearly listed on the Museum website and on promotional literature. The Museum aims to better publicise its location through an increased use of advertising and signage.
3.3 The Museum aims to increase access to the items not on display by offering web based access. Information on objects from the collection is available on the Museum website and social media accounts. These also provide details on visiting the Museum, opening times and RAPTC history. This enables the Museum to interact with a far wider audience.
3.4 Further access to the collection is enabled by Museum participation in local community activities and events. A “mobile museum” collection of handling objects is used for participation in these events. The Museum aims to further develop this programme in the future. For further information see the Access Plan.
3.5 The Museum is committed to working in partnership with educational bodies. At present this involves liaising with local schools for visits round the Museum and to witness gymnastic and physical exercise displays by members of the Corps. Specialist sessions for schools and cadets, community and children’s groups are also available which are based around learning about fitness and the history of the RAPTC. These are available at weekends and evenings to encourage and facilitate access.
3.6 The Museum also provides voluntary opportunities in a variety of museum roles. These opportunities are open to all people from all sections of the community.
3.7 The Museum is also committed to answering enquiries from the public and assisting researchers visiting its premises. Enquiries can be made online or by telephone, post and email to Museum staff. These are generally dealt with as soon as possible. A charge is levied on enquiries requiring the use of staff time.
3.8 Visiting researchers wishing to use the Museum’s resources are generally permitted to utilise books and archive material from the collection, excepting those deemed unsuitable for public handling (see point 6). Answers to requests from researchers are made as soon as possible and appointments made at the earliest convenience of both parties.
3.9 Facilities are in place to assist visitors with disabilities or special needs (see point 5)
4. Ethics and Legislation
4.1 The RAPTC Museum recognises that it has a legal obligation to abide by all relevant legal or ethical guidelines, including those that govern providing access to the collection. These include the Disability Act of 2000, as well as those governing health and safety, data protection, freedom of information and equality.
4.2 The Museum adheres by these guidelines by ensuring that its premises are fully accessible to the disabled (See Point 6).
5. Access Assessments
5.1 The Museum recognises that identifying ways to provide better access to the public requires continual interaction with visitors and non-visitors so as to ascertain such areas as are in need of improvement. This is currently ensured by means of a visitor book and feedback forms which enable the public to express their views about the Museum. Uses and non-users can also engage Museum staff through social media.
5.2 The results of all public interaction will be analysed by Museum staff with the aim of improving access. This analysis can be seen in the Access Plan. This will also be incorporated into the Museum’s plan for widening its audience. For more information on this see the Audience Development Plan.
6. User Needs.
6.1 The Museum recognises that users have a variety of different needs that need to be met in order to provide them with a safe, enjoyable and fulfilling visitor experience. This includes catering for physical disabilities and limitations, as well as understanding the need to cater for a range of intellectual levels and styles of learning.
6.2 The Museum aims to meet these needs by providing an environment that is accessible and user friendly, as well as by creating displays and events that are structured towards ensuring an enjoyable and family-centred experience.
6.3 All members of staff and volunteers are encouraged to treat visitors in a friendly and considerate manner in order to create a welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds. This requirement is laid out in the Staff Induction document. Every visitor to the Museum is treated with the respect they are entitled to.
6.4 Full access to the Museum is provided for people with disabilities. This includes the use of a portable ramp for wheelchair users to gain access to the Museum.
6.5 Gallery areas are clearly laid out and lit to a level appropriate for visitor comfort and the welfare of objects. Museum displays are centred at a level accessible for people of all heights with text displayed in a size, font and colour appropriate for the visually impaired.
6.6 Displays include a variety of multi-media, multi-sensory features such as touchscreens, video recordings and a hands-on section to enhance the visiting experience for children and people who learn and engage in a variety of ways
6.7 Toilets are available at the Museum, including a specialised toilet for the disabled. Parking is available for visitors and other transport links such as a railway station and bus stop are situated in the near vicinity.
6.8 The Museum recognises that financial constraints represent a barrier to accessibility. Therefore there is no admission charge to the Museum. This enables accessibility for people of all incomes. Many of the Museum’s group activities are also free of charge.
7. Limitations to Access
7.1 The RAPTC Museum is fully committed to providing the public with comprehensive access to its collection, particularly to its archival records. This is subject however, to the need to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the collection.
7.2 Public access to artefacts is thus restricted to such objects as have been deemed suitable for inclusion in handling collections. This consists of custom-made duplicates and items of little historical or monetary value and of which the Museum possesses numerous examples. It excludes examples of weaponry held by the Museum.
7.3 Public access to the Museum library and archival records is exclusive of works of considerable value and such items whose delicate state of conservation renders them unsuitable for handling by the public. For a more detailed view of conservation policies at the RAPTC Museum see the Collections Care and Conservation Policy as well as the Care and Conservation Plan.
7.4 The safety of visitors and staff is of paramount importance to the Museum. In such cases where viable threats to visitors or staff are identified then access to the Museum will be removed. This is detailed in the Emergency Plan.
8. Review
8.1 The Museum will review this policy every three years to ensure that that it is line with professional guidelines and standards.
