Leicester Museums
Making History Accessible...
Leicester Museums
Leicester City Council
Industry
Cultural Heritage
Project Type
Accessibility Films
Year
2022
Project Overview
We produced a series of accessibility-focused films designed to improve inclusivity for visitors with sight and hearing impairments at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery and Newarke Houses. These landmark cultural sites hold centuries of history, and the goal of this project was to ensure those stories are truly open to everyone.
By creating a dedicated layer of digital interpretation, we aimed to remove barriers to engagement and foster a more welcoming, independent experience for every member of the local and visiting community.
The Brief
The brief centred around producing a collection of films that felt like a natural extension of the gallery experience. This required a high level of collaborative verification; we had to ensure that complex historical contexts and specialised language were accurately translated into British Sign Language (BSL) without losing their original meaning.
The challenge was to balance the technical requirements of accessibility, such as clear sightlines and pacing, with an inviting, high-end visual tone that matched the prestige of the museum’s collections.
Our Approach
We worked closely with professional BSL interpreters to ensure every gesture and sign was captured with total precision. We utilised a hybrid filming approach, combining controlled green-screen sessions for clear signing with on-location capture throughout the museums to maintain a sense of place and authenticity.
Each film was layered to include high-quality narration, clear subtitles, and BSL interpretation. This comprehensive level of accessibility ensured that the content remained engaging and easy to navigate for all.
The Outcome
The final films have significantly strengthened the museums’ accessibility offer, serving as a tangible demonstration of their commitment to inclusive storytelling. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by the welcome films on large-format screens at the museum entrances, immediately setting a tone of inclusion.
Throughout the galleries there are QR codes presented, allowing visitors to use their own smartphones to view the accessible content. This provides a user-friendly way for audiences to engage with the museum’s narratives at their own pace, ensuring the city’s history is a shared experience for all.
WHAT DID THEY THINK?
WHAT DID THEY THINK?
WHAT DID THEY THINK?
WHAT DID THEY THINK?
”The project was handled with care and attention to accessibility from start to finish.
Kerem CetindamarDigital Project Manager, Leicester City Council
Director
Alex Buja
Producer
Andy Gundelach
Assistant Producer
Yasmin Tiua
Director of Photography
Alex Buja
1st Assistant Camera
Declan Suffolk
2nd Assistant Camera
Keith Mutomba
Editor
Alex Buja