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Open to All: Welcoming Neurodivergent Visitors

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By West Midlands Museum Development / Posted on Tuesday 3rd September 2019

Neurodiversity is a term that describes a variety of neurological differences including ADHD, autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia.  It is estimated that one in seven people in the UK are neurodivergent (ACAS Neurodiversity in the Workplace 2019).  Neurodivergent people can experience challenges, barriers, discrimination and lack of awareness when visiting museums and in their daily lives.

Becki Morris, Director of Disability Collaborative Network C.I.C. (DCN), will support participating organisations to gain a greater understanding of how to create a more welcoming and accessible experience for neurodivergent visitors by providing effective previsit information, inclusive interpretation techniques, a welcoming environment and improved workforce awareness.

Participants will attend a training session, led by Becki Morris on 24 October at Museum of Royal Worcester.  Following the training session Becki will visit each museum and undertake an audit of current provision, considering the environment, facilities, communications and workforce development. Each museum will receive a bespoke audit report identifying current good practice, potential barriers to participation and tailored, prioritised recommendations to increase access and engagement.

Museums will also receive a bespoke Easy Read Welcome Guide (also known as a Visual Story) that provides visitors to their website with information to prepare them for their visit.

Benefits of taking part in the programme;

  • Gain a greater understanding of neurodiversity
  • Discover how you can remove barriers to participation and increase engagement with neurodiverse audiences based on best practice, legislation and key academic research
  • Receive tailored recommendations to improve access at your site
  • Receive a bespoke, professionally written Easy Read Welcome Guide to improve previsit information on your website and instantly increase accessibility

Places are limited to eight museums, galleries or heritage sites and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.  Priority will be given to non NPO museums that are Accredited or Working Towards Accreditation in the West Midlands.

For the application form please click here.

Please return completed application forms by email to wmmd@ironbridge.org.uk no later than
5pm, Monday 30 September.

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