Anisimova and Anastasiia M. Selivanenko* Siberian Federal University 79 Svobodny, Krasnoyarsk, 660041, Russia Received 15.07.2016, received in revised form 19.09.2016, accepted 08.11.2016 The article analyzes the experience of using the cultural heritage by the disabled people. <...> It presents the Russian experience of making use of museum communication means in working with the disabled, including the experience of Eastern Siberia. <...> Traditional and innovative adaptation mechanisms involving the museum exhibition complexes availability are described. <...> The authors argue that modern museum technologies have a great impact on the society’s adequate attitude towards the disabled. <...> As cultural institutions the museums have a particular potential in the field of socio-cultural adaptation of the disabled people. <...> Keywords: integration; adaptive approach; museum art-therapy; museum-reserves; museum technology of socio-cultural adaptation. <...> This article summarizes the experience of the disabled people’s participation in museum activities. <...> The Russian researchers I.N. Donina, O.N. Shelegina, et al. note that as cultural institutions museums have a particular potential in the field of the disabled © Siberian Federal University. <...> All rights reserved * Corresponding author E-mail address: severyanova@mail.ru – 2866 – people’s socio-cultural adaptation, tolerance development, and they are considered a vector of further development (Donina, 2014; Shelegina, 2012). <...> While developing the programmes for the disabled the Russian museums use innovative methods (audio-tours, tailored tours, museum and art-therapy) with great potential of using visual art and museum environment for a personality’s harmonization. <...> Museum Technologies of the Disabled Persons’ Social Adaptation… Museums make use of museum-pedagogical and universal design technologies when working with children from low-income families, orphans, and disabled teenagers. <...> In 2011 the state programme “Accessible environment” was adopted in the Russian Federation (RF) for the period of 2011-2015. <...> The conception of the museum activities development in the Russian Federation till 2020 formulates the need to provide the museums with equipment, enabling the disabled people to visit and participate in the museum programmes. <...> Domestic experience Russian museums have been developing cultural and educational programmes of acute social orientation, introducing special methods of serving the disabled people of different categories into their practice. <...> The State Darwin Museum or “Museum without Barriers” runs special tours for children with mental <...>