With its new multisensory exhibition concept, the Wien Museum, a Zero Project Awardee, demonstrates how museums can create genuine accessibility through co-creation and multisensory design.
The Vienna Museum is one of the city's most important historical museums. Accessibility was a key consideration in the comprehensive renovation that began in 2023. For over four years, museum teams worked together with focus groups and disability organizations to develop a multisensory, multilingual, and multi-format exhibition concept.
The result is impressive:
More than 50 tactile and interactive stations, a digital orientation system, content in Braille, audio, plain language and sign language, as well as Austria's first Changing-Place toilet.
The museum now offers inclusive educational programs such as workshops for people with learning difficulties, dementia-friendly tours, programs in Austrian Sign Language (ÖGS), simplified language, and quiet zones for neurodivergent visitors. All educational programs are free of charge. Staff members are trained through an Access Ambassador program based on the experiences of people with disabilities.
The effect is clearly visible:
Visitor numbers rose from 130,000 annually before the renovation to 650,000 in 2024. Schools, NGOs and adult groups regularly book the inclusive offers – over 80 special tours for seniors took place in 2024.
Three aspects make this project special:
- Co-creation as a guiding principle:
People with disabilities were consistently involved in the planning and implementation. - Multisensory experience:
Content can be seen, heard, touched and read – in a wide variety of languages and formats. - Radiance as a model project:
The Vienna Museum serves as a model nationwide, supports other institutions and is a founding member of ARGE Inclusive Museum.
Director Matti Bunzl describes the house's attitude as follows:
„Inclusion is not something we do, it’s now part of who we are as an institution.“
The Vienna Museum shows how modern museum design can break down barriers – and how culture can be experienced by all people.
More information: Vienna Museum