Die Neue Sammlung presents a new, accessible website. The new online presence complies with digital accessibility standards and is also one of the first websites to offer the majority of content in easy-to-understand language and easy-to-read.
Image above: Die Neue Sammlung
Die Neue Sammlung presents itself online with a new, appealing design in the colours of the corporate identity. The website is clearly organised and structured. The museum also offers two completely new areas with the release: The “Programme” page informs visitors about events and dates in the museum. “Design in dialogue” collects interviews, videos and articles on the topic of design. Right from the start, the design was focussed on accessibility. This includes the choice of strong colour contrasts, an accessible font and the clear arrangement of text fields and image elements.
Special features of the new website
The most important new feature of the Die Neue Sammlung website is the presentation of content in easy-to-understand language and easy-to-read. On-off buttons under the headings show which pages are available. By clicking on them, information about the exhibitions and the theatre can be called up quickly and easily in plain language or easy-to-read. Some pages have been recorded by actors or also offer the content as videos in German sign language. In future, the QR codes on the wall texts in the exhibition rooms will lead to the respective websites. This will connect the analogue with the digital space.
The contemporary website also does justice to inclusion in technical terms: screen readability with stored alternative texts (image descriptions for people with visual impairments) and visual settings via keyboard shortcuts are guaranteed. The general information page in easy-to-understand language and in German sign language, an explanation of accessibility and common questions about inclusion can be accessed from any page via the “Accessible” button. The website is certified in accordance with the German Accessible Information Technology Ordinance (BITV). This means that the new website fulfils significantly more than the legally binding minimum requirements for digital accessibility.
Part of the “Experience inclusive design” project
Since February 2022, the Neue Sammlung has been able to dedicate itself even more strategically to inclusion and digital mediation thanks to the “kultur.digital.vermittlung” grant from the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts and the support of PIN. Freunde der Pinakothek der Moderne, the Neue Sammlung has been able to focus even more strategically on inclusion and digital mediation. Under the project name “Experience inclusive design”, Die Neue Sammlung is making progress in implementing inclusive measures. One initial success was the opening of an inclusive touch station in the
X-D-E-P-O-T in December 2023.
Thanks to follow-up funding from the “kultur.digital.strategie” programme of the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts, Die Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum is now aiming to expand its inclusive and digital offering via its website. By mid-2026, an inclusive online collection and specially developed participatory learning games for educational institutions will be available. With this project, the museum is offering digital, inclusive access to one of the world’s most important collections of design history.
