SC State Museum unveils Accessibility-Focused Renovations

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Folks living with disabilities or special needs who visit the South Carolina State Museum will find new accommodations are now available.

The museum’s Executive Director Amy Bartow-Melia says over one million adults across the state live with a disability.

“That’s roughly one in three adults who have some form of mobility, cognition, independent living, hearing, vision, or self care disability. We here at the South Carolina State Museum truly believe that every South Carolinian deserve to have equal access to their state museum,” Bartow-Melia says.

As part of the museum’s “Reimagine the Experience” campaign, the upgrades include fully ADA compliant restrooms, two privacy spaces for nursing mothers, and a wellness room for guests with disabilities.

David Dickson, PR Manager with the museum, says the upgrades are an important step forward — with thousands of people living with a disability visiting each year.

“But it goes beyond just the building itself to include staff training, as well as accessibility programs and even just visibility. Making sure this community feels seen and represented. So this project is really only the start of our ongoing strides to accessibility at the state museum. We’re so grateful to have partnerships with community partners like Aflac as well as fellow state agencies to help guide us along this journey so we can provide a space to all South Carolinians,” says Dickson.

Funding for the project was provided by the state legislature and a $200,000 capital gift from Aflac.

“Parents who are thinking about where to bring their children whether they have children with disabilities, or just wanting to have a place of comfort, I can tell you as a father of four, my wife and I would constantly think about places we want to go with our children, knowing there could be some type of instance where we need to go take a break. So access and having that peace of mind I think is a big deal,” says Bob Ruff, Senior Vice President of Group Voluntary Benefits with Aflac.

Parents like Joy Jackson, mother of one-year-old Nyla, agree.

“Most places I go, there’s not a space to breast pump or breastfeed. Which makes it challenging. I have to go sit in the car to be able to do that. So having a space that I can still enjoy the area with my family and be able to step aside and feed my daughter securely and then go back to my family is really nice,” Jackson says.

Gene Baughman with the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs says folks used to have to make their way to the third floor for accessibility restrooms, and believes the upgrades are a game changer.

“Most people don’t think about the accessibility for our individuals. Say they need an adult changing table, or a quiet area for autistic people if they’re feeling over stimulated. So the South Carolina State Museum has just gone above and beyond in thinking out these things and just making that accessibility there for us. So it’s really important — and we appreciate it,” says Baughman.

The state museum also holds its “Accessibility Morning” program on the second Saturday of every month — allowing folks with disabilities their own time to enjoy the exhibits.