International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Our Commitment to Accessibility

Every year on December 3rd, we celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), a day dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities worldwide. At Clio Muse Tours, we recognize the importance of accessibility in making cultural experiences inclusive for all. Although we are still on our journey to integrate comprehensive services for persons with disabilities fully, we have taken significant steps to make our self-guided audio tours more accessible.

Enhancing Our Technology for Greater Accessibility

In 2021, we began implementing accessibility features in our Clio Muse Tour Experience to support individuals with visual impairments and reading disorders. We have adapted UserWay’s cutting-edge accessibility solutions, ensuring our platform meets ADA and WCAG 2.1 compliance standards. These improvements provide users with various tools that modify visual and textual content to suit their needs.

Visitors using our Tour Experience through a browser can personalize their tour by adjusting the contrast of images and texts at each stop. Options such as dark or light contrast modes, color inversion, and desaturation empower users to tailor their viewing experience, improving visibility and readability. These initial upgrades mark the first step in a broader strategy to make our tours accessible.

“Listen to Our Story”: A Milestone in Inclusive Culture

In 2022, we were privileged to be part of the “Listen to Our Story” project, an initiative that set new benchmarks in inclusive cultural experiences. Collaborating with a team of dedicated professionals and esteemed partners, we provided web accessibility technology and hosted self-guided audio tours designed to be fully inclusive. This project, part of the social and educational program “Agon, An Olympic Legacy” at the Athens Olympic Museum, was supported by an exclusive grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and brought to life by Off Stream in partnership with Mulo Creative Lab, Liminal, and other exceptional contributors.

The “Listen to Our Story” tour blends audio narration with tactile representations of selected exhibits, creating an enriching experience for visitors with visual impairments. This initiative demonstrates how technology and creativity can converge to make history, culture, and education accessible to everyone.

How You Can Support People with Disabilities

While technological advancements are essential, societal attitudes and individual actions play a crucial role in supporting people with disabilities. Here are some ways everyone can contribute to a more inclusive world:

• Educate Yourself: Learn about different types of disabilities and the unique challenges that individuals face. This understanding fosters empathy and promotes supportive behavior.
• Use Inclusive Language: Be mindful of the words you use. Language can shape perceptions, so use terms that respect the dignity and individuality of people with disabilities.
• Offer Assistance, but Ask First: While helping someone with a disability is kind, asking if they need help before taking action is important. Respect their autonomy and preferences.
• Advocate for Accessibility: Support businesses and institutions that prioritize accessibility, and advocate for improvements in places where accessibility is lacking.
• Be Patient and Understanding: Some individuals may need more time to complete tasks or navigate spaces. Showing patience and kindness goes a long way in making them feel included.

Looking Ahead

While these steps mark significant progress, we remain committed to further advancing our services. Our vision is to offer all individuals, regardless of ability, an opportunity to engage with cultural heritage meaningfully. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is not just a day for celebration; it serves as a call to action for continued efforts toward equality and inclusivity.

At Clio Muse Tours, we understand that accessibility is a continuous process. We will strive to develop solutions that improve our tours, empowering everyone to explore, learn, and enjoy cultural experiences without barriers.

Join us on this path to inclusivity as we celebrate the spirit and resilience of the global community. Together, we can ensure that everyone feels welcome and inspired regardless of ability.