VIRTUAL: Livable Cities – New York

Abstract

Despite accommodations made, there have been significant processes made by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities act of 1990), Neurodiverse individuals are still excluded in public spaces. Neurodivergent individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a growing percentage of the population in the United States. The need for public spaces to accommodate young adults and adults with ASD is really needed, particularly in District of Columbia’s public museums that will continue to attract millions of visitors every year. Accommodations for all individuals, including those with neurodivergent conditions are required by federal law, and more importantly, to not exclude individuals with ASD from experiencing these culturally significant exhibits that contribute to the quality of livability and life. Using a Value-Inclusive Design framework, this study proposes how space can be provided in museums that accommodate perception and sensory challenges. Design components will be discovered in each museum visited as a guide to become more knowledgeable about museum spaces and exhibits that may need to be adjusted to benefit ASD and other neurodivergent individuals. Along with design components addressed in two museum precedents for accommodating neurodivergent individuals, a survey of museum director perspectives and documentation of circulation patterns and key public exhibit space are planned to assess lighting, acoustics, material textures, and spatial factors in four DC museums. With this information, a set of criteria will guide the design of a new prototypical space that can assist museums in accommodating ASD individuals, thus promoting social inclusion and cultural enjoyment for all visitors.