Museums+Tech 2020: Museums in a crisis Inclusive digital practice in post-lockdown society Becki Morris & Sarah Simcoe, Disability Collaborative Network and EMBED As we navigate out of crisis during unprecedented times, the pandemic has highlighted that the time is right to reflect on the key role that digital is playing in reaching diverse communities as we create the ‘new normal’. While the heritage sector has traditionally taken a piecemeal approach to delivering digital services, these challenging times have necessitated the sector need for embracing digital inclusive practice. This ensures the continued delivery of services, attracts new audiences, including those who may have previously faced barriers to the physical environment and includes those who are vulnerable to COVID-19 complications. The pandemic has provided the sector with a unique opportunity to build positive intersectional inclusion through digital practices. At the same time, the Black Lives Matter movement has highlighted the issue of colonisation and the importance of greater access to related collections. During this presentation, DCN and EMBED, a cross-sector partnership, will share experiences and key learnings from the lockdown period, what we have done to support the sector and how digital inclusion is core to the sector in creating better, more resilient service, support and participation for audiences and the workforce.

1. Museum Computer Group 2020
Inclusive digital practice in post-lockdown
society
EMBED - Making Inclusive Business Your Business

2. www.embed.org.uk www.musedcn.org.uk
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Let me introduce ourselves…
Becki Morris
Director of DCN and
Associate Consultant
of EMBED
Sarah Simcoe
Founder of EMBED

3.  Digital planning for inclusive communications
 Intersectional inclusive content
 Accessible tools
 Digital Exclusion
What we are going to cover today
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4. DCN and EMBED
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 Pro-action to support the sector and others with physical
and digital knowledge
 Supporting organisations to understand key barriers
and create action for intersectional inclusive practice
 Collaboration to amplify action based solutions
 Creating an intersectional inclusive future

5. DCN and EMBED: During the Lockdown
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 Free resources to support all organisations in all sectors
during the lockdown period
 Reopening Recommendations Support Service
 Agencies, policy and organisational collaboration to support
production of digital inclusive content.

6.  Reaction not pro-action
 Lack of representation in planning
content
 Need of Digital Inclusive
Communications
 Was accessibility an add on?
Pandemic Lessons
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7.  Investment in time and planning
pays off in building capacity
 Accessibility is vital to support
audiences and engage with
non-users
Key Learning
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8.  Digital planning for inclusive
communications
 WCAG 2.1AA and legislation
 Website, donations maintain profile
and generate revenue
 Widening content delivery options
via Zoom and other digital platforms
Key Learning
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9.  £17.1 bn
 Public Sector Bodies (Websites and
Mobile Applications) (No. 2)
Accessibility Regulations 2018
 Equality Act 2010
 Reputational, revenue and profile
loss
Key Messages: Risk
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10.  Social media outreach with connection
to website and comms
 Intersectional inclusive practice to
reach out to audiences and growth in
practice
Key Messages
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11.  Support and production of innovative
thinking in the workforce
 Leadership, organisation and individual
need to be part of this through
collaboration
 Inclusive and Access in procurement
Key Messages
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12.  Heritage Sector has responded to
sudden change
 Reflections on the lessons learnt to
build into action
 Intersectional inclusion needs to be
represented continually
 Legislation needs to be met
Exploring Reopening: Workplace
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13.  You have help and support
to do this
 Collaborative working
 Representation
 Leadership
The Future
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14. We’re here to support…
Website: embed.org.uk eMail: info@embed.org.uk eMail: info@musedcn.org.uk