Collaborative Strategies on Addressing Accessibility Barriers within Canada’s Archives

Over 8 million Canadians identify as having some sort of disability. This number is only expected to rise with an aging population. What sort of impact does that have on Canadian archives? How can we continue to grow our Canadian cultural institutions to include everyone? What are some of the most pressing accessibility-related issues faced by your institutions? What have been your strengths in addressing accessibility-barriers? What have been some weaknesses?

Archives and museums accessibility consultant Dr. Michael Marlatt facilitates this 90-minute workshop that looks to examine the issue of archival accessibility through collaboration and idea-sharing between Canada’s archives. Michael will guide the conversation while also giving his input, advice, and sharing recommended resources based on the dozens of workshops and public talks he has held previously.

Themes of the workshop include, but are not limited to, architecture, public programming, conducting research, funding, collections processing, digital archives, archivist health and well-being, staff/volunteer management, entering the field, and more. Workshop participants are able to guide the direction of the conversation based on the wants and needs of their particular institution. Participants do not need to have any familiarity with the related scholarship to participate, as the workshop is not meant to be academic in nature. Archival participation does not only include users but also donors, archivists, volunteers, interns, students, etc.

*The number of participants will be kept small to allow the space for participatory round-table discussion. Active participation is expected from all attendees. The workshop will not be recorded.