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Jayline Lopez
Professor Malvin
ENGL 114B
4 April 2016
Safe Haven Museum
An individual without limitations has the ability to enjoy activities without any
impediment. One can go hiking, to a recreational pool, to the beach, sight-seeing, and enjoy the
exhibits at a museum. However, this is not the case for every individual. Sadly, other people have
physical disabilities that restrain them from enjoying activities as a normal, able-bodied person
would. Los Angeles should have more locations that accommodate to everyone, including those
who have all their senses, but also those people within the disabled community. For example,
people who are blind, a person that is deaf, an individual that is mute, and those who use a
wheelchair. Every individual should be able to experience locations in Los Angeles, such as
museums, restaurants, and festivals, without any obstacles, especially if they have a disability. In
order to address the issue of the availability of public places and the appeal they have to
individuals with disabilities, the city of Los Angeles should construct the Safe Haven Museum
because this building would create a strong community between the disabled and it would create
opportunities and experiences that are not familiar to them. The Safe Haven Museum will create
opportunities for people with disabilities by providing easy access to museum exhibits, and
hands-on activities for them to delight in.
With the hopes of demonstrating people with disabilities that they are able to enjoy and
experience the same things as an able-bodied person, the creation of the Safe Haven Museum

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will accomplish this exact goal. According to the County of Los Angeles Public Health, "...nearly
20% (1.3 million) of adults in Los Angeles county reported having a disability" (1). This means
that 1 in 5 people report not being able-bodied. A person's disability, as reported by the County of
Los Angeles Public Health is "...defined by a lack of mobility, a limitation in body movement
such as standing, crouching, bending, or sitting, or difficulty gripping, holding, or manipulating
small objects or carrying light loads" (2). Other disabilities reported include those associated
with our senses, such as the inability to hear or see. Mental health and learning disabilities were
also reported (2). Those who are affected by disabilities that are physical, sensory, mental, or that
correspond to the ability to learn include a range of ages, people of vast backgrounds, as well as
varying races (5). As noted, many people throughout the Los Angeles county, unfortunately, live
with a disability, for this reason we should accommodate to the likes of those who are not ablebodied by incorporating more places that appeal to them.
In order to discontinue what may appear as scarce opportunities for people with
disabilities, the problem should be addressed by creating a type of recreational center such as a
museum specifically for the community of people with disabilities. The construction of this
museum would incorporate restaurants that provide special seating for those with physical
inabilities. These restaurants and fast food places would also include pictures of menu items in
full display for those who may have a mental illness, and menus in braille will be provided for
people who do not have the ability to see.
This building would appeal to its target audiences likes and needs, it would be
informational, but also an entertaining place. It would incorporate art like that found at The Getty
demonstrating famous artwork and displaying the masterpieces of well-known artists. Exhibits

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like the ones present at the Science Center that are hands-on and visual will also be present. For
example, an earthquake simulator, short videos on ecosystems, and a touch tank of sea creatures.
This building would be three stories high, but would include very easy access to elevators for
those with a physical limitation. There will also be a variety of ramps so that one can enjoy every
part of this museum. There will be banners with information in clear writing in order to inform
what exhibits are in front of a person for those who can read. For those who cannot read, within
their reach, there will be information in braille in order for one to still get a glimpse as to what
they would be experiencing or viewing. This museum will also provide its guests with special
interpreters if it is needed.
There will also be a specific exhibit that incorporates famous, well-known people such as
scientists, artists, actors, and presidents who have had or are currently living with a disability.
There will be stands with visible pictures and descriptions of these famous people. The
descriptions will include accomplishments that have been achieved while living with a disability.
This exhibit will incorporate people like Albert Einstein, who had a learning disability and
president Franklin Roosevelt who was paralyzed and was a wheelchair user and still managed to
surpass all expectations with a disability. The creation of this particular exhibit will serve as an
example to people with a disability who are discouraged in themselves and who view themselves
very different as compared to an able-bodied individual. It will be made to inspire and
demonstrate that although some people were faced with the inability to walk, a learning
disability, the inability to see or hear, they were still able to make a contribution to the world and
overcome any obstacle their disability may have put on them.

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Another exhibit incorporated in the Safe Haven Museum will be based onmindividuals
with a disability who have participated in the Paralympic Games. There will be descriptions on
what the Paralympic's are all about which is to give people with disabilities the opportunity to
participate in popular sports and to alter the views on individuals with disabilities by
exemplifying they are just as capable as able-bodied people. In this exhibit there will be
descriptions of Paralympic medalists that have succeeded and overcame the difficulties their
disability imposed on them. People in the exhibit will be Marla Runyun who was a runner,
earned five gold medals and was legally blind. Dave Roberts who was a swimmer, had cerebral
palsy and earned eleven gold medals. Also, David Weir who was a wheelchair racer, had a spinal
cord transection that prevented him from using his legs, and earned six gold medals. Many other
Paralympic athletes will be included with the purpose of motivating and inspiring people who
have a disability as well as able-bodied people. This exhibit will demonstrate how individuals go
beyond what is expected of them to achieve great things.
Although this museum seems to appeal to only to people with disabilities, it will be open
to the entire public. The creation of the Safe Haven Museum is also meant to intrigue ablebodied individuals. The services available will be incorporated with a purpose to make the
recreational center more accessible and enjoyable for people who have a disability. However, this
does not exclude or is limited to a person without a disability. People are still able to stroll
through museum exhibits and participate in every activity throughout the building, like anyone
else, so that they could have a good time. By entering this museum people will also gain insight
and notice the difficulties people go through because of their disability. Families with children

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and people of any age are welcomed to come into the Safe Haven Museum to get a glimpse of
what this museum is all about and of course to have some fun.
The creation of this building is meant to cease any barriers a person with a disability may
encounter. Although many museums may incorporate a certain aspect to improve the wellness
and enjoyability for a person who is not able-bodied, other factors are still left out. Visiting the
Science Center in Downtown Los Angeles really opened my eyes to how exhibits may appeal to
one disability, but would not to a different disability. While in an ecosystem exhibit I noticed
there was a small child with a hearing aid. The specific place I resided in appealed to his
disability because there was visual simulation such as videos that included writing that was very
legible and clear to see. There was also a vast amount of space that was available for people in
wheelchairs. However, thinking of this small child I imagined what would happen if a person had
a varying impediment such as the inability to see. There were no braille signs that incorporated
information from the exhibit. There was also a lack of a loud speaker explaining the components
of this exhibit. When I noticed this, I realized that every museum built should think beforehand
of the type of people that will be visiting these recreational centers in order to appeal to every
person and not exclude others.
Many people who are able-bodied fail to acknowledge that there are individuals who
unfortunately have a disability. It is difficult to believe that other individuals are somehow
different to us, in appearance, in their abilities, and their circumstances. In the Guide to Twilight
Los Angeles by Anna Deavere Smith there is a quote that goes like this, "The many ethnic
communities are mostly phantom communities--they're invisible to most of us...I live close to a
number of ethnic groups, and I have no idea what they do to have a good time" (39). This was

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said regarding the minority ethnic groups who resided in Los Angeles during the riots of 1992.
Regarding the disabled community, many of us are truly unaware or disregard their presence. We
fail to notice that just as able-bodied individuals they need certain resources in order to live their
life, have a good time, and acquire new experiences. This is another factor which has influenced
the creation of the Safe Haven Museum. In order to make the community of people with
disabilities feel as though they are recognized, they are able to fully participate in this museum
like any able-bodied person would.
Although this building may cost money, I guarantee it is a great investment. The start of a
museum with a specific objective may interest not just people who have disabilities, but every
person who is able-bodied. This museum will be open to the public. This may be a center that
can attract tourism since there will be no place compared to it in Los Angeles. People may also
want to get an inside look as to how disabled individuals face the everyday world. Some may say
that the creation of a building like this may depict and segregate individuals as to who is
perfectly fine and who is disabled. I believe a building like this has to be created because instead
it would create a sense of community between the disabled. In turn, it would help people bond
over the similarities they share regarding the difficulties that they face in the real world and in
their everyday life. It would also finally feel as though they are being looked upon as a factor
that matters and as though they are an important part of the Los Angeles community. These
individuals may also feel as though they are no longer being discriminated against.
The construction of the Safe Haven Museum will intertwine the able-bodied community
and the community of those with particular disabilities together. The museum will particularly
assist those with special disabilities to provide them comfort within the museum, to show that

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they are as capable as any other person to participate in enjoyable activities, and to demonstrate
that they are an important part of the Los Angeles community. This museum also serves to assert
those with disabilities that they are not just looked over and forgotten. The Safe Haven Museum
will become a recreational center where people will not feel discriminated against, and where
everyone can have a pleasant experience.

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Works Cited
Carlson, Tiffany. "10 Majorly Succesful People With Disabilities." The Huffington Post. 22 Oct.
2013. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.
Deavere Anna, Smith. "Guide to Twilight Los Angeles." Facing History and Ourselves National
Foundation Inc. 2001. PDF file.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Adult Disability in Los Angeles County. LA
Health. Sep. 2006. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.
"Welcome to the California Science Center." California Science Center. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.