Museum Assistant Emma Goulding is RAMM’s Accessibility Ambassador. She has first-hand experience of living with disabilities and uses her knowledge and skills to maximise the enjoyment of all RAMM’s visitors.
Emma was the very first Accessibility Ambassador to be appointed in the region by our partner organisation, Living Option Devon through their Heritage Ability project. Heritage Ability has helped improve accessibility and inclusivity at over 20 heritage destinations across the South West, including museums, historic houses, country parks and other outside spaces. With their guidance and assistance RAMM developed BSL video tours, visual guides, large print and Easy Read interpretation.
Emma Goulding, Accessibility Ambassador
Emma talks about how she got involved in the project and what her ambassador role involves.
“I’ve been working as a Museum Assistant at RAMM for nearly five years now, and I was a volunteer at the museum before that. Two years ago the chance to become an Accessibility Ambassador came up and I knew I had to do it. Living with family members with disabilities, I am very aware of how vital equal access is and the many limitations that poor accessibility can create.
“My job as an Accessibility Ambassador at RAMM involves me monitoring the building for any potential problems that disabled visitors might face when visiting, and listening to customer feedback about our accessible tools. I have helped implement new accessibility aids such as Easy Read Guides and British Sign Language (BSL) tours, helping to promote them to a broader audience and ensure visitors are aware they are available on request.
“I also provide our staff and volunteers with Disability Awareness training and keep my eyes open for any other improvements I think can be made to improve accessibility for disabled people. There is always more that can be done and having someone within an organisation that people can approach with any ideas or concerns is always useful.
“I love my role as ambassador. It’s a really easy way to make a positive impact and it’s incredibly rewarding to watch individuals using facilities that I helped to implement.”
Improving accessibility at RAMM
Newly developed access aids include:
- BSL gallery tours are available to view on a tablet which can be borrowed from Garden Reception. The tablet provides 14 short BSL clips at various different points around the museum.
- Large Print Guides, both in the form of a basic floor plan and a more detailed general guide to the museum, are available to borrow from both receptions.
- Easy Read guides, available from both receptions, are designed to help individuals and their carers to navigate the museum. There are also large-print captions in every gallery.
- A downloadable visual story which allows visitors to become familiarised with the building before visiting.
Further information about facilities and accessibility at RAMM can be found on the website: Access information.
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