Exploratory study on access to museums of the University of São Paulo

Abstract

The University of São Paulo - USP - has 18 museums allowing communication with society through their visitation. The aim of this study is to analyze critically the policy of access to the museums of the USP and discuss the impact of quality and quantity in visits of person with disabilities and without disability in spontaneous and organized visits. To compose the analysis was held a theoretical research in specific references in accessibility area and museum education. The methodology used was the qualitative investigation using semi-structured interviews with representatives of the five museums open in USP. It was concluded that: there is no common policy of access to USP museums or developed and shared by the institution governance; each unit is autonomous and independent in the definition of access policies and management of your space. As a result of this research we present some reflections on the need for coordination between the museums, which can be started with the realization of a working group of professionals and researchers of the units.