Museums in Kazakstan to become more accessible to persons with disabilities with UNDP support

On the eve of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated annually on December 3, the United Nations Development Programme in Kazakhstan and the DARA Charity Foundation in partnership with the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan presented the results of joint work to introduce audio descriptions and other elements that ensure accessibility and smart adaptation of cultural and sports facilities for persons with disabilities.

There are currently about 700,000 persons with disabilities in Kazakhstan, and 20,000 of them are blind or visually impaired citizens, the official website of the UNDP in Kazakhstan reads.

“UNDP calls for the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including the right to participate in the cultural life of the country. It is encouraging to see that today the use of digital technologies ensures inclusion and accessibility of all information for persons with disabilities, leaving no one behind”, said Ainur Baimyrza, Head of Governance Unit, UNDP in Kazakhstan.

The UN Development Programme in Kazakhstan and the DARA Foundation have implemented projects in seven museums in Kazakhstan over the last three years. Audio descriptions (one of the most important means of transmitting information to visually impaired persons) were written, and audio guides were prepared in three languages (Kazakh, English, and Russian), and consultations with persons with disabilities on information perception were held.

The most accessible and understandable vocabulary was used for the audio recordings, and the children’s interests were taken into account. The total duration of the audio tracks is more than 100 minutes. Furthermore, master restorers and sculptors created more than ten tactile models of historical exhibits to provide visually impaired visitors with a more detailed introduction.