Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Design
V. Circulation Route
A. The circulation route within the exhibition must be accessible according to the
requirements of the Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Design for Facilities and Sites.
B. The circulation route must be well lighted, clearly defined, and easy to follow.
VI. Furniture
A. All cases must provide viewing access to people who are short or seated as well as to
those who are standing.
B. Cases and vitrines must not present a safety hazard to any visitor.
C. Seating must be provided in each exhibition. 50% of the seats must be accessible. Single-
gallery exhibitions must have seating in a nearby corridor or in an adjacent gallery
space.
VII. Color
A. Gallery colors (floors, walls, furniture) must create an environment that is clearly
articulated, comfortable and safe.
B. The colors and patterns of exhibition floor surfaces must give accurate information
about the depth, height, and condition of the floor surface.
C. Colors within cases must provide clear visual access to objects inside.
D. Colors for labels must have a high contrast between text and background.
VIII. Lighting
A. The safety of visitors (particularly those with low vision and visual perceptual difficulties)
must receive equal consideration with exhibit design and conservation issues.
B. Light and color must combine to produce a clearly delineated circulation route into,
through, and out of every exhibition space. This is a particular requirement whenever
there are changes in level or unexpected turns or obstacles in the route.
C. There must be sufficient light on objects to make them visible to all visitors unless the
light level will do substantial damage to the objects.
D. There must be sufficient light on labels to make them readable by all visitors.
E. The elimination of glare from cases and on labels must be considered for those visitors
who are seated as well as for those who are standing.
F. Sufficient light to accommodate speechreading and sign language conversation must be
provided in locations throughout the exhibition space.
IX. Public Programming Spaces
A. In places of assembly with fixed seating, there must be a number of wheelchair
locations provided in compliance with the requirements of the Smithsonian Guidelines
for Accessible Design for Facilities and Sites. These locations must be dispersed
throughout the seating area.
B. If seating is in the form of benches, the same number of benches with arm and back
support as wheelchair locations required in the Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible
Design for Facilities and Sites must be provided.
C. Where there is fixed seating, there must also be aisle seats (one percent of the total
number, with no fewer than one) that have no armrests, swing-away armrests, or