A great year for blogs- 2020 in review

In the last year Autism in Museums has been asking for your contributions to the blog. It has been great to hear about relaxed openings, understanding how sensory play can be brought into the museum and research to help make museums more accessible. It was also brilliant to hear from autistic voices sharing what they have enjoyed this year.

As we begin January 2021 it is a good time to look back at some of the most viewed blogs of 2020. Some great ideas, tips and inspiration to help you plan for more accessible spaces and programmes in the coming year.

5 – The 5th most read blog comes from February. Sam Ahern a member of the Youth Council for Ambitious About Autism wrote about the Royal Academy of Arts first relaxed opening for their Antony Gormley exhibition. http://www.autisminmuseums.com/relaxed-opening-antony-gormley-royal-academy-of-arts-feb-2020/

Relaxed Opening – Antony Gormley, Royal Academy of Arts, Feb 2020

4 – The 4th most read blog comes from the Natural History Museum. In June Laura Davison and Marie Hobson talked about their project to engage autistic families with the outside spaces at the museum. http://www.autisminmuseums.com/engaging-families-with-autistic-children-in-outdoor-museum-spaces-natural-history-museum-june-2020/

Engaging families with autistic children in outdoor museum spaces, Natural History Museum, June 2020

3 – The 3rd most read blog of 2020 is from the National Maritime Museum. This blog from July is the first Covid related addition. Katie Cassels, Family Programmes Producer, shared their work to incorporate sensory learning in putting on an accessible sensory trail in the museum grounds as museums across the country faced closure due to lockdown. http://www.autisminmuseums.com/inviting-sensory-learners-to-explore-museums-in-a-time-of-covid-national-maritime-museum-sept-2020/

Inviting sensory learners to explore museums in a time of Covid, National Maritime Museum, Sept 2020.

2 – The 2nd most read blog looks at some work that Autism in Museums supported in 2019. Holly Wilson, Programme Manager – Wolfson Project at the British Museum ran the very first relaxed openings for families. She shares their approach that resulted in many families visiting the museum for the very first time. http://www.autisminmuseums.com/early-morning-explorers-at-the-british-museum-april-2020/

Early Morning Explorers at the British Museum, April 2020

1 – Finally the most viewed blog of the year! Kids in Museums, Sam Bowen and Autism in Museums carried out a survey in September, asking parents with children who have additional needs (SEND) what museums could do to support them with visiting and accessing resources at home. Lockdown caused many changes and in this blog Autism in Museums took time to analyse the data to come up with suggestions and ideas to welcome families. http://www.autisminmuseums.com/what-do-send-families-want-from-museums-in-a-time-of-covid/

What do SEND families want from museums in a time of covid? Sept 2020

I hope these blogs prove useful. Do get in touch if you would like to write for Autism in Museums in 2021!

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