On 11 September the final event of the COME-IN! project took place at the European Parliament. The CEI-ES is particularly proud as Lead Partner of the Project, to have coordinated and worked with 14 partners over the last three years.
This partnership has brought to life tangible results to improve access to European cultural heritage and equal opportunities for all. The COME-IN! Guidelines, elaborated to allow museum operators to crosscheck the different dimensions of accessibility throughout the service chain; the Handbook for Museum operators to guide museums and galleries on how to train their staff and to design and organise accessible exhibitions, and the COME-IN! Label, as an internationally recognised tool promoting accessibility and inclusion.
After the CEI-ES presented the Project achievements, the host of the event, MEP Marion Walsmann awarded the COME-IN! Label to six museums from Austria, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Poland and Slovenia for their investments and efforts in making their exhibitions and museums more accessible.
“COME-IN! has paved the way for other initiatives to continue their efforts towards accessibility” said Marie Denninghaus from the European Disability Forum. Her view was also strongly supported by members of the European Parliament Marion Walsmann and Hannes Heide. Sergio Servellon, Board Member of the Network of European Museum Organisations (NEMO) also expressed deep appreciation for the results.
They have all also emphasised that COME-IN! had done pioneering by elaborating the Guidelines, Handbook and Label which could be applied internationally, translated into EU policies and adapted by other NGOs.,
The CEI-ES wishes to thank all partners and all stakeholders who have been involved in this project. Congratulations also to the six awarded museums: The Civic museum and galleries of history and art of Udine; the Maritime museum "Sergej mašera" of Piran, the museum of the working world of Steyr, the Archeological museum of Istra, the Archeological Museum of Weimar, the Archaeological Museum in Krakow.
Accessibility is a process and the conclusion of the COME-IN project actually represents a beginning. All partners will continue to promote and attribute the COME-IN! label to all the museums that will demonstrate their engagement n becoming accessible for all and are ready to make a contribution to the next EU Disability Strategy. As Ms. Anna Marconato, Project Manager said, “COME-IN! is a change of mentality. We do not focus on categories but on people.
More info: marconato@cei.int
