Baseline Research
Rebecca Davies conducted some initial research as part of our pilot project, to understand the current position of the approach to neurodivergence, and specifically autism, in museums.
The Neurodiverse Museum
The Neurodiverse Museum, generously funded by Art Fund, has been set up to change the way museums and the cultural sector as a whole, approaches neurodiversity. In case you’re not familiar, neurodivergence includes autism, ADHD, ADD, dyslexia OCD, ODD dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and others.
Find out more about the Neurodiverse MuseumAbout the Neurodiverse Museum
The Neurodiverse Museum has been set up to change the way museums and the cultural sector as a whole, approaches neurodiversity. In case you’re not familiar, neurodivergence includes autism, ADHD, ADD, dyslexia OCD, ODD dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and others.
Currently in its a pilot stage, generously funded by Art Fund, The Neuordiverse Museum aims to shift the dialogue and provision from deficit, person first, exclusionary models, to presumed competence, identify first, inclusionary models with #ActuallyAustitic and neurodivergent voice at its heart.
We are currently in the process of developing the next stage of the project and accessing funding to support a wide scale programme to support neurodivergent people to access museums, see themselves reflected through museum display and collecting, and support pathways to the workforce which are currently not available - with lived experience always at the centre.
Get in touch with usInformation and research
Over the coming months we will be sharing research, case studies, and a range of supporting provision to ensure neurodiversity is viewed and supported in-line with lived experience.
Keep posted here, subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on social media, for more info.
And if you'd like to know more about our pilot phase funders, please visit them via this link https://www.artfund.org/
Neurodiverse verses Neurodivergent
This resource helps to explain the neurodiversity movement and some of the terminology at play when considering provision working with and for neurodivergent individuals.
Dyslexia tool kit
A tool kit to increase accessibility for dyslexic visitors from the Collections Trust
Coming soon........
We're working on providing some best practice examples, case studies, and ideas about how to develop your practice.
Training and support
We’ll also be launching training webinars and wider support for those wishing to develop their practice.
Keep posted here, subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on social media, for more info.
Understanding Neurodivergence
Aimed at providing museums and wider cultural sector staff with a clear understanding of neurodivergence as well as practical ideas to increase accessibility and relevant provision.
Museums and Neurodiversity Network
Drawing together museum staff who wish to develop their understanding and practice of neurodivergence to discuss and engage with each other about furthering neurodivergent access, representation, and workforce.
Collecting practices – reflecting neurodivergent lives and experiences
When people think about neurodivergent audiences, they tend to think about accessibility. However, as with all audiences and individuals, neurodivergent people want to see themselves reflected in the displays and provision of museums. This training session supports understanding and confidence in this area, and provides practical advice and examples to implement. Coming soon…..
Training to understand different neurotypes
Over the coming months, we’ll be developing training which supports specific understanding of different neurotypes and the adjustments and support to increase access and relevance within museums. Coming soon.
Blog
We aim to publish a wide variety of neurodivergent voices here and support a greater understanding of what neurodiversity is, and how museums can better support and work with neurodivergent people.
Neurodivergent Voice
We’re looking for guest bloggers! We want this website and project to be about raising awareness of neurodivergent voice, and supporting a greater and more meaningful approach by the cultural sector, and museums specifically towards neurodivergent people. if you’d like to share your experience or activity, please download the blog template by clicking the link … Continued
What if we looked at museums and Neurodiversity differently?
You may have seen activity growing across the heritage sector (and in other areas of life) specifically for neurodivergent people – individuals whose state of being is different from the neurotypical experience (this encompasses autism, ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia etc). Whilst this is to be applauded in starting to consider the needs of neurodivergent visitors, there is a concern that the resulting outputs are often not driven by neurodivergent people themselves and as a result, do not, on the whole, meet need.
Autistic Experiences in Museums
I’m Sammy, a volunteer with Leeds City Museum and a consultant for The Neurodiverse Museum, a project with Sporting Heritage.
Leeds City Museum and Sporting Heritage have asked me to work on a project called The Neurodiverse Museum. We want to work with autistic people to support museums to be more accessible spaces, have more representative histories, and to make it easier for autistic people to get jobs in museums.