The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990: Implications for Museums
This research paper examines the history and development of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. It includes a summary of the provisions and regulations of the Act and its five Titles and how they affect museum accommodations and activities. Some specific physical guidelines are included. The scope of the study is limited to how the Act affects accommodations for visitors; employment opportunity and adaptions for museum staff exceed the scope of this study. Since the regulations are limited to physical accommodations, three case studies exemplifying program development for activities are featured. They included two studies of programs developed on site by large metropolitan museums and one developed by a university research and development unit which serves as an education department of a historic site.
Classic Period Maya Royal Headdresses: A Study of Headdresses with Emphasis on their Use in Yaxchila
The dominant individual in a Classic period Maya sculpture is the ruler portrayed in his elaborate ritual costume and headdress. The costumes, accessories and headdresses he wears are ritual or occasion specific. Even without accompanying text, the viewer can identify the specific ritual the ruler is performing by his costume, headdress, and the items he holds. The ruler recorded these rituals on monuments he commissioned. The sculptures are the written history of the ruler and his reign.
The dominant item of the ruler’s attire, the headdress, is the subject of this paper. Headdresses were used throughout the Maya civilization from the earliest periods. They varied according to period and locale. A complete study is beyond the scope of this paper, so the discussion is limited to one Classic period kingdom, Yaxchilan, with usage in other city-states cited. This study identifies fourteen basic royal headdresses and five additional headdresses worn by assistants and captives on Yaxchilan monuments. Its sculptures depict ritualistic themes; the study will discuss eleven principal themes and the elements. The study is an attempt to consolidate information on Yaxchilan headdresses, their composition, usage, and symbolism.
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