The Matenadaran, officially the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, is a Yerevan-based research institute and museum home to the largest repository of Armenian manuscripts in the world.

Our project, developed in partnership with the Matenadaran, aims to make the museum's key exhibits accessible through tangible replicas, while also offering an educational program focused on the art of manuscript creation for individuals with visual impairments.

Designed with input from specialists, educators working with students with vision challenges, and those with low vision or blindness, the project involves consultations, focus groups, and surveys with visually impaired individuals and professionals.

As part of the initiative, tangible replicas of four exhibits and a silver binding from the Matenadaran's main collection will be produced. A comprehensive educational program, enhanced by these objects, will offer sensory experiences, including medieval music and aromatic oils, to accompany the art of manuscript creation.

These exhibits will be accessible to all 120,000 annual visitors to the Matenadaran, as well as to Armenia's 16,663 visually impaired individuals. This initiative addresses a significant gap in cultural accessibility, providing an inclusive experience for both the Matenadaran and other museums. It is expected that up to 300 people with visual impairments will visit annually.