Jerusalem ancient citadel museum to host accessibility conference
Tower of David will mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities with 2-day gathering to examine use of technology to bring heritage sites within the reach of all
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Jerusalem’s Tower of David Museum is hosting a conference on accessibility in historic sites and cities on Wednesday and Thursday.
The event will follow the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is marked on December 3.
There is free registration for the conference, which will look into the modernization of historic sites and cities, adding technology to heritage sites, and making local populations part of the accessibility solutions.
The museum, which reopened in May 2023 after a $50 million renewal and preservation process, has made some 85 percent of the 3,000-year-old citadel accessible — widening passages, installing elevators and building ramps.
Parts of the complex, including the top of the Phasael Tower, are still not wheelchair accessible, and the museum created a virtual reality experience in order to share the view with those who are unable to climb the final 30 steps.
“There weren’t many examples to follow,” said Eilat Lieber, the museum director. “We had no guidebook, no road map. Instead, we had to forge our own path, bringing together archaeologists, architects, historians, preservationists, curators, and designers to collaborate and innovate.”
The conference will convene experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the globe to share case studies, explore solutions and promote collaborations to enhance accessibility in heritage environments.
