Group stands in front of a wrought iron gate on display with a blue ribbon in front of them. Man in center holds a giant pair of scissors as he prepares to cut the ribbon.
Museum News

SCSM Completes Accessibility Renovation Project with Lead Donation from Aflac

All museum public restrooms now fully ADA accessible; Wellness and mother’s rooms added

Thanks to generous support from the State legislature and a $200,000 capital gift from Aflac, the State Museum is more accessible than ever before. All 10 of the museum’s public restrooms are now fully compliant, in accordance with The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an important step forward in making the museum accessible to the more than 1.1 million adults and countless children living with a disability in South Carolina.

Aflac’s generous support to this accessibility-focused renovation project also funded two mother’s spaces, located in the women’s restrooms on the first and second floors, to provide privacy and comfort for nursing mothers and a wellness room, located on the first floor, to provide a quiet space for guests to rest and rejuvenate. This renovation project is one of the first and most important steps in the museum’s Reimagine the Experience project, which aims to renew the museum's permanent exhibition galleries and educational spaces, incorporating more immersive experiences and continuing to expand the museum's accessibility focused resources.

By working with partners like Aflac, fellow state agencies and our shared community, together we can ensure those with disabilities can enjoy the museum to the best of their abilities and desires through facility upgrades, disability-adapted resources, special programs and staff training. 

 

 

Woman pushes a wheelchair with another woman sitting in it through a space with a large blue poster featuring a duck and name Aflac on the left side and a large, changing table on the right side.

Midlands Center resident Harriet Gallman and Recreation Specialist Montana Crosby enjoy the new Aflac Wellness Room, located on the first floor. Photo courtesy of the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.

Mother sits in chair with baby cradled against her chest

Mother Joy Jackson and her daughter Nyla enjoy the peace and comfort in one of the newly renovated Mother’s Spaces, located on the first and second floor. Photo courtesy of the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.

Group stands in front of a wrought iron gate on display with a blue ribbon in front of them. Man in center holds a giant pair of scissors as he prepares to cut the ribbon.

The State Museum and Aflac celebrate the completion of an accessibility-focused renovation project. Photo courtesy of the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.

Three adults stand in front of a photo back drop that reads "Aflac" with two adults in wheelchairs in front of them.

Gene Baughman and others from the Midlands Center, operated by the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, attend the ribbon cutting event. Photo courtesy of the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.

Woman pushes a wheelchair with another woman sitting in it through a space with a large blue poster featuring a duck and name Aflac on the left side and a large, changing table on the right side.
Mother sits in chair with baby cradled against her chest
Group stands in front of a wrought iron gate on display with a blue ribbon in front of them. Man in center holds a giant pair of scissors as he prepares to cut the ribbon.
Three adults stand in front of a photo back drop that reads "Aflac" with two adults in wheelchairs in front of them.