Conference aims to make the Old City accessible to people with disabilities

To mark the International Day of People with Disabilities, the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum is hosting a global online conference next week that will shine a spotlight on accessibility.

Representatives from around the world will discuss the challenges and solutions presented by accessibility to historic sites and cities.

“It is an honor to host this conference,” says Eilat Lieber, director and chief curator of the museum.

“We have experts, professionals and visionaries from around the world to discuss the accessibility of historical, historic and cultural sites,” notes Lieber, acknowledging that the impetus for creating a global conference came from the museum’s own journey towards Accessibility and inclusion came.

The museum recently reopened following a $50 million renovation project led by the Clore Israel Foundation.

Since the magnificent views of Jerusalem are not wheelchair accessible, a creative solution was required. The VR experience, available 24/7, is now available on the museum’s website. Now anyone can access the panorama from anywhere in the world. (Source: TOWER OF DAVID JERUSALEM MUSEUM)

“We faced one of the most complex challenges imaginable: making an ancient, intact citadel – whose history spans over 3,000 years – truly accessible to everyone,” she says.

The challenges were immense. The place is steeped in history, with narrow hallways, steep stairs, and rooms designed centuries ago with no regard for accessibility.

A careful plan had to be devised to negotiate the delicate balance between preserving the integrity of this exceptional heritage site and making it accessible to all. “To make it even more challenging, there weren’t many examples to follow,” says Lieber.

“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.

“In the end, we accomplished what many thought was impossible: we installed elevators, built ramps, widened passageways, and transformed this ancient fortress into a space that welcomes almost everyone—for the first time in over a thousand years. If there is a will, there is a way.

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“Nothing was more rewarding than seeing the joy and wonder in the eyes of someone who can finally see the entire citadel from different levels of the Tower of David,” she marvels.

Notes Eli Escusido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority:

“Archaeology belongs to everyone. Everyone should have the opportunity to touch, be exposed to, and learn about their past. Sometimes the nature of ancient sites makes them difficult to access, especially in a historic city like Jerusalem. But you have to make an effort.”

THE OLD city of Jerusalem is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old town covers less than 1 km² and has almost 40,000 inhabitants. Within its ancient walls are some of the world’s most important sacred sites.

Over the past decade, the Jerusalem Old City Accessibility Project has aimed to improve accessibility standards in all four quarters of the Old City. The project was based on the recognition that approximately 12% of residents have a disability and the city needs to respond to their needs.

Now, after about a decade, about 4 km. of the historic alleys within the old town walls have been made accessible, including the Via Dolorosa just last year.

Facing many challenges

The challenges of making the old town accessible are enormous.

Archaeological sites date back to places that are thousands of years old and a height difference of 68 meters characterizes the topographical structure of the old town between the lowest and highest points.

Nevertheless, the results of the Old City of Jerusalem Accessibility Project are exemplary and show that when local, government and community actors work together, the results can be life-changing for many.

“We have managed to improve accessibility for people with different disabilities, all against the backdrop of challenging topographical conditions, a never-ending race to discover more antiquities and the need to reduce the number of different religious groups active in the Old Town are active, to be respected. says Steve Rubin, tourism director at the Jerusalem Development Authority.

The residents of the Old Town now enjoy a significantly improved quality of life, which, thanks to the accessibility project, has also resulted in more efficient garbage collection, mini-ambulances and fire engines, police services, delivery services and many other municipal services and personal activities due to the countless stairs in the narrow streets the area was not easily accessible.

“Jerusalem’s Old City is one of the most historically and spiritually significant places in the world and must be accessible to all – residents and visitors alike,” said Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion.

“Ensuring that everyone can experience its beauty and history, regardless of their physical abilities, reflects our commitment to inclusion and respect for diversity.”

The Old City Accessibility Project is funded by the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs, the Jerusalem Development Authority, the Ministry of Tourism, the Accessibility Department of the Jerusalem Municipality, the National Insurance Institute and the Israel Antiquities Authority.

It is carried out by the East Jerusalem Development Company in coordination with accessibility consultants, taking into account the topographical limitations. So far the project has cost about $16 million.

The conference will discuss practical solutions to improve access in historic urban environments, as well as the growing demand for inclusive and accessible tourism in places such as Jerusalem, Athens and Rome, as well as historic Boston.

Sometimes it’s just not possible to make a location completely wheelchair accessible. However, with some innovative thinking, creative solutions can be found.

Need a solution

At the Tower of David, a solution was needed to access the spectacular views from the top of the 2,000-year-old tower because the museum was unable to obtain permission to build an elevator to the top.

Following a high-resolution scan of the iconic skyline by Swiss company Aumivi, visitors unable to climb the final 30 steps can now access the spectacular 360-degree views from their mobile devices or via a VR headset available at the Tower of David.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY will be discussed at the conference next week. Raphael Saxer, founder of Aumivi, Switzerland, and Ohad Berman, CEO of Mehalev, will talk about how technology can create inclusive visitor experiences.

Mehalev’s technology helps with navigation and creates orientation and guidance systems for the blind and visually impaired.

“The Step Hear system installed in the Old City and the Tower of David represents a significant milestone in making historical and tourist sites accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired,” says Berman.

“Through audio guidance and intelligent technology, we not only improve mobility, but also promote inclusion and equal opportunities for all.”

Museums such as the Royal Academy of Arts in London and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam will also be presenting at the conference. Both are housed in historic buildings and promote accessibility and inclusion in their programming.

The Tower of David Museum is also the first museum in the country to be fully accessible through sign language, as a dedicated app allows visitors to use Israeli sign language.

Former MK Shirly Pinto Kadosh, a socio-political activist for the deaf, advocated for this new tour of the museum. “After working together for a long time and thinking about every detail, I am happy to see how a small dream has become an exciting and historic reality,” she says.

However, the process was anything but easy. The museum’s new core exhibition explores the history of Jerusalem and its colorful and complex history.

When the script for the tour was being written, it became clear that many signs were missing. Pinto Kadosh turned to the Hebrew Language Academy and its sign language department for help.

Research and discussions were conducted over several months to decide on characters for words such as “monotheism” and the “Hellenistic,” “Byzantine,” and “Crusader” periods.

Dorit Lerer, Director of the Academy of Hebrew Language, explains that the Academy was pleased to be part of this important linguistic process: “Now, for the first time, the Sign Language Department of the Academy of Hebrew Language is supporting and creating signs for the professional world – in this case in history and archeology – to conceptualize signs previously missing from the lexicon of Israeli Sign Language.” Interestingly, Israeli Sign Language works for people with both Hebrew and Arabic language background.

“This represents an important step towards the full and equal integration of an entire population into society, giving this population equal access to culture, history and long-standing heritage,” notes Pinto Kadosh, who hopes that this step will inspire many more Museums to follow this example.

Shira Shapira, deputy director general of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, notes that due to the current year-long war, even more young people need accessible accommodation.

“Accessibility to heritage sites and historic cities is an ongoing mission of utmost importance, enabling all parts of society to connect with our cultural heritage. We are committed to making it accessible to everyone,” she affirms.

The conference will take place online and in English. Registration is free via the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum website www.tod.org.il/en

Conference aims to make the Old City accessible to people with disabilities – Israel News

ByAmelia Journalton

Facing many challenges

Need a solution

By Amelia Journalton

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