Zayed National Museum Enhances Inclusivity with New 'Calm Room' and Accessibility Conference

The Zayed National Museum has introduced a dedicated 'calm room,' a specially designed space aimed at supporting neurodivergent visitors and individuals prone to sensory overload. This initiative was announced concurrently with the launch of the museum's Accessibility Conference 2026 on Tuesday. The conference convenes international experts, policymakers, and 'People of determination' to explore strategies for enhancing inclusivity within cultural institutions. The three-day event, themed 'From Barriers to Belonging – Accessibility in Museum Practices,' will conclude on Thursday, November 5. In addition to the calm room, the museum has also released a new exhibition design manual to assist other cultural institutions across the UAE in improving their accessibility standards. The museum's first temporary exhibition delves into 7,000 years of camel history.

Deaf performers from the Zayed Authority for People of Determination delivered the UAE national anthem in sign language during the opening ceremony of the Zayed National Museum's Accessibility Conference 2026.

Amna Al Hammadi, Head of Community Engagement and Accessibility at Zayed National Museum, highlighted the conference as a critical opportunity to re-evaluate the reliance on Western accessibility models. "As Arab museums, we often look to western museums for best practices without necessarily considering our own cultural practices or the social characteristics of communities in the Arab region," Al Hammadi stated. She emphasized the importance of examining international standards within the context of local cultural practices and community expectations, while also providing Arab institutions a platform to share their experiences globally. The conference program features 16 case studies from institutions in countries such as Portugal, Kenya, South Korea, Japan, and the UAE. Discussions include sessions on disability representation in museum narratives, the challenges of making historic buildings accessible, and the involvement of 'People of determination' in shaping museum experiences. A panel on Tuesday also focused on the Zayed National Museum's Deaf Museum Experience Specialists program, underscoring the role of deaf-led approaches in fostering more inclusive visitor experiences.

A Space for Tranquility

The newly established calm room was developed in collaboration with the neurodivergent community, incorporating feedback from autistic visitors and their families gathered during the museum's development phase. It is equipped with dimmable lighting, calming audio, sensory kits, fidget tools, and a crash mat, enabling visitors to modify their environment when the museum setting becomes overwhelming. Access to the facility is available without prior booking; visitors can request entry through museum staff. While primarily intended for neurodivergent individuals, including autistic visitors, the room also benefits those with ADHD, dementia, or other sensory needs. Accessibility has been integrated into the Zayed National Museum's exhibition spaces, facilitating navigation for wheelchair users and their engagement with displays.

Al Hammadi explained that the room addresses concerns from families seeking a secure and comfortable space where autistic visitors can manage sensory challenges without needing to leave the museum. She also stressed the significance of maintaining visitors' dignity and ensuring their ability to engage with cultural offerings on their own terms. The calm room complements existing initiatives such as 'Quiet Morning,' which offers a less stimulating museum experience, and 'Beyond Sight,' featuring tactile workshops for visually impaired visitors. Furthermore, Zayed National Museum is the first cultural institution in the Middle East to implement the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, which trains staff to assist visitors with non-visible disabilities.

Establishing Regional Standards

Another key announcement at the conference was the unveiling of the Zayed National Museum's Accessible Exhibition Design Manual, the first museum-specific resource of its kind in the Middle East. Available in both Arabic and English and endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Family, the manual integrates international accessibility standards with UAE design requirements to guide the creation of inclusive exhibitions. This initiative stemmed from challenges encountered during the museum's development, where the team found the UAE Universal Design Code offered limited guidance specifically for museums. Development began in 2022, with the museum collaborating with government bodies to devise solutions that could eventually benefit other cultural institutions nationwide. Fatma Mohammed Al Jassim, Accessibility Strategist for Learning and Public Engagement at Zayed National Museum, noted that the lack of established museum-specific standards prompted the team to develop its own methodology, blending Emirati philosophy and hospitality with international practices. "When you don't have a solution, that doesn't necessarily mean you should simply adopt a good practice from somewhere else," Al Jassim remarked. "It is about ingenuity and having the confidence to create something yourself." The museum plans to distribute the manual to other institutions across the UAE, leveraging its experience to inform future exhibition designs.

The calm room is equipped with sensory resources and comfortable seating, contributing to the museum's broader efforts to foster a more inclusive visitor experience.

Prior to its opening, Zayed National Museum established working groups comprising 'People of determination,' their families, and educators to help shape its facilities and visitor experience. This engagement continues through community committees, including those representing senior citizens. Al Jassim emphasized that these relationships are vital, as accessibility is an ongoing process rather than a one-time investment. "Feedback is the cornerstone of everything we do because you cannot build something for people without involving them," she stated. Al Hammadi believes this collaborative approach should extend beyond individual institutions, asserting that Arab museums possess valuable insights to contribute to global accessibility discussions, though their work often receives limited recognition. The conference aims to foster a more equitable exchange of expertise by bringing together institutions from various countries, enabling regional museums to develop approaches that reflect their unique cultural and community needs.