In 2019 the British Museum launched its Early morning explorers’ events; relaxed sessions for families who would benefit from visiting the museum in a quieter environment. The events are for both children and/or parents with sensory processing requirements including Autism so that families who would otherwise be unable to attend can enjoy the Museum together. These were set up in …
Relaxed Opening – Antony Gormley, Royal Academy of Arts, Feb 2020
Antony Gormley Relaxed Opening: Sam Ahern I was lucky enough to be invited to a relaxed opening of the Antony Gormley exhibition at the Royal Academy back in November 2019. This was the first my relaxed opening for an exhibition that I’d been to. I had gone to other events like Tate Lates, so this was something of interest to …
Quiet Sessions at the National Civil War Centre, Newark, Jan 2020
We first introduced “Quiet Hours” here at the National Civil War Centre in January 2019 after consulting with a local autism support group PAACT. Their founder Gordon, very kindly met me at the centre and we took a tour, carefully making notes in each gallery and space, detailing what may cause obstacles for our guests with sensory issues. Once that …
Volunteering at ‘Devil’s Porridge Museum’ – Alastair’s story
I have been volunteering at Devil’s Porridge Museum for about 4 months now, along with 3-months of work experience I did back in 2016. I came back with ‘Employability Scotland’ to expand my work experience, gain more understanding in museum activities and improve my social skills with staff. Since returning I have tried to prove myself a cable (or at …
Early and Evening Explorers at London Transport Museum
London Transport Museum held it’s first Explorer event for families with additional needs back in 2014. This came out of a family’s feedback that a quiet time to visit was needed for their child as the Museum gets very busy and loud. We started with two mornings for the year but as of 2019, we now run 7 events annually; …
The challenges of adapting our museum for relaxed sessions. Gladstone’s Land, Edinburgh. Nov, 2019.
At Gladstone’s Land we are very happy to announce that we will be starting new relaxed sessions for visiting us very soon. We are a National Trust for Scotland property in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town and our building is one of the oldest on Edinburgh’s most famous street: the Royal Mile. Our house is a lovely example of …
Night Owls at the Science Museum
Night Owls at the Science Museum The Science Museum are running this event please share to your networks there are hardly any events for adults but if not enough people go they may not put on another event. Saturday 6th July Free accessible event for adults and young adults (ages 16+ only) Our Night Owls events are designed for adults and …
A first visit to the National Army Museum, March 2019
It can be very daunting visiting a new place for the first time, particularly if you are on the autism spectrum. Museums are starting to do more to help visitors prepare for a visit as well as offer ‘relaxed hours’ where they can keep the visitor numbers down. The National Army Museum offered their first relaxed visit called ‘At Ease’ …
State of Museum Access 2018 – a new report
Autism in Museums is delighted to have been asked by VocalEyes to collaborate on the State of Museum Access 2018 report. A major barrier to disabled people visiting museums is the lack of advance information. Museum websites are key tools for providing visitor access information, and the absence of this contributes to the ‘disability engagement gap’; where people with a …
Free Sensory Equipment from Autism in Museums
THIS OFFER IS NOW CLOSED HUGE THANKS TO SPACEKRAFT FOR DONATING AN EXTRA TACTILE SENSORY BAG (WORTH OVER £100) TO AUTISM IN MUSEUMS, WE NOW HAVE 9 PACKAGES TO GIVEAWAY! In April 2018 over 30 volunteers completed a Museum Marathon walking to over 26 museums in London in one day. We raised over £1,000 and some of that money is …