Today I am going to write about something different. As I mentioned in my previous post, since I moved to the UK, I have learned a lot about the role of museums in improving social inclusion. It started in my Masters, where we read articles and discussed what museums in the UK are currently doing to provide accessibility for people with special needs and ended up changing my career perspective. What is interesting about it is that the more you research the topic, the more you realise that, while on the one hand museums are providing physical accessibility features such as disabled toilets, large print signs, audio guides as well as welcoming guide dogs,on the other hand, developmental disabilities are still being overlooked.
For my Masters dissertation, I did extensive library research from both primary and secondary sources and attended several autism-friendly events to find out more about what museums are currently doing to accommodate children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The experience has really opened my eyes to the potential museums have to reach people on different levels, as explained by Richard Sandell, one of the leading figures in the UK promoting the positive impact of inclusive practices in museums:
Recent research suggests that museums can contribute toward social inclusion at individual, community and societal levels. At an individual or personal level, engagement with museums can deliver positive outcomes such as enhanced self-esteem, confidence and creativity. At a community level, museums can act as a catalyst for social regeneration, empowering communities to increase their self-determination and develop the confidence and skills to take greater control over their lives and the development of the neighbourhoods in which they live. Lastly, museums, through the representation of inclusive communities within collections and displays, have the potential to promote tolerance, inter-community respect and challenge stereotypes (Sandell, 2003, p. 45).
In recent years, there has been an increase in initiatives to promote social inclusion for people with disabilities, including autism, “a condition characterised in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviours” (Autism Speaks, n.d.). As a result of the promotion of autism awareness, participation in both educational and leisure programmes are becoming more frequent in museums. Some of them are now providing special events such as “Curious Explorers” sessions, which consist of opening the museum in the early hours of the morning exclusively for families and children with autism.
Recently, I had the opportunity to volunteer in the first autism-friendly event at the Jewish Museum in London. It was a day carefully planned for months by the Learning Team at the museum and full of fun activities for the families. In each gallery, there was an activity to do such as playing with clay (my favourite, by the way, so relaxing!), family trails, scribing and object handling.
Here are some pictures for you to see.
The museum also had a sensory room for the children, in case they felt a bit anxious with the new space and needed a place to relax, and accessories such as ear defenders for those who are over stimulated and/or sensitive to certain sounds or noise. In addition to this, there was also a team of friendly trained staff and volunteers keen to help in any way they could. I can’t show you pictures of the families as I don’t have their permission, but during the entire 2h of the event, we saw families coming by and having a really great time at the museum!
One of the most important things we did was to allow these families to take their time and do what they felt comfortable with. I have realised that sometimes, when we want to help, we end up offering a dozen options of things to do and asking every two minutes if they are ok, but it is often best to just be around if they need us and let them join the activities they wish to join. I have to say that my mug and ceramic plate decorating activity was a success! There was some great artwork produced – not mine, though, as I clearly don’t have any artistic skill. But even though the numbers were small, for their very first time trying an autism-friendly event, I do believe it was a success as it delivered what it has promised: a great family time for the children and their families.
If you have the opportunity to go to some of these events, please do! And do let me know your thoughts on it either as a museum professional or as a parent. It is always good to hear/read different opinions and know what can be improved!
If you want to visit the Jewish Museum in London, they are located in Camden (Raymond Burton House, 129-131 Albert St, London NW1 7NB). Open everyday from 10am to 5pm.
Update:
If you want to find out more about accessibility and inclusion in museums, earlier this year I participated in some research with VocalEyes about access information on UK museum websites and it has just been published! Here is the link in case you want to read: VocalEyes
Autism Speaks (n.d.). What Is Autism? What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder? Autism Speaks. Available at: https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism [Accessed 10 June 2016].
Sandell, R. (2003). Social inclusion, the museum and the dynamics of sectoral change. Museum and Society, 1 (1), p. 45 – 62.
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