Note: Session was canceled due to absence of convenor and speakers. Multimedia handheld guides and smartphone applications offer many new possibilities for interaction between audiences and science museums — prior to, during and after a visit. To make the best use of these new technologies we need to understand how they work for audiences in terms of usability and total user experience. Not only do multimedia guides and smartphone applications need to be designed carefully to meet the needs and preferences of disabled and older audiences, but multimedia can also be used to overcome some of the difficulties encountered by these audiences. This session will present a range of views that explore the accessibility, usability and user experience of multimedia guides and smartphones for both mainstream, disabled and older audiences.