BEYOND BARRIERS: MUSEUM ACCESSIBILITY IN INDONESIA THROUGH THE EYES OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Museums are increasingly recognised as inclusive cultural institutions, yet accessibility remains severely limited for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in developing countries, including Indonesia. This study systematically identifies urgent issues and persistent challenges in museum accessibility through two case studies: the Jakarta History Museum (JHM) and the Fort Vredeburg Museum (FVM) in Yogyakarta. A multi-method qualitative approach was employed, combining semi-structured interviews with 25 participants, including PwD and key museum stakeholders, and Community-Based Observation (CBO) using the Inclusive Museum Appraisal Tool (IMAT) with 12 PwD representing diverse disability groups. Findings reveal pervasive, systemic inaccessibility across three accessibility attributes: communication, external elements, and internal elements. Critical barriers, such as the complete absence of sign language services (100%), inaccessible interior design (80%), inadequate facilities (76%), and the lack of accessible elevators, demand immediate improvement. External barriers significantly hinder initial entry, rendering access a fundamental challenge from the outset. The findings reveal a critical gap between global inclusive design standards and prevailing practices in Indonesian museums, emphasising the urgency of comprehensive and strategic interventions to achieve equitable and meaningful cultural participation for visitors with disabilities.

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