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This presentation was presented at a conference for museum professionals. It covers what other museums are doing for accessibility and also begins the dialogue of what other sites can do to increase accessibility for visitors, including students in special education classes.
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Access for All:Museum Education Programs for Children with Special Needs
By Katie StringerTN Association of MuseumsMarch 21, 2013
Why create programs for children with special needs?
To be a truly inclusive museum, you must offer equal opportunities for all
Serve new audiences with meaningful programs OR
Give your existing audience a better experience through educational programs
Up your attendance number by reaching new audiences
Why historic sites and museums?The opportunity to: Create connections with historic people and
the past through:1. Artifacts2. Structures3. Stories of real people
Aquarium3% Art Museums
12%
Children's Museums9%
Historical Sites15%
History Museums9%Live Theater
3%
None of the Above15%
Parks21%
Science Museums15%
Where students go on field trips
What do SPED teachers want? Results from nation-wide survey
Museums = 59% of current field trips
15% do not go on field trips
How many groups does YOUR museum see? Do you have programs for them?
Social Skills28%
Life Skills28%
Educational Skills28%
Enjoyment5%
Non-Educational Skills3%
Experiences equal to other classes
3%
Behavior5%
Desired learning experiences from field trip
What Do SPED Teachers Want, cont.
Social, educational, and life skills
How can museums offer Life and Social skills?
Does your museum offer opportunities for students to gain these skills?
Educational Content19%
Entertaining17%
Hands-On21%
Individual4%
Physical8%
Tactile15%
With Mainstream Students16%
Educator preferences for museum programs
What Do SPED Teachers Want, cont.
Hands-on and Tactile
Entertaining / Edutainment
Educational With
Mainstream students
What are other museums doing?The Transit MuseumThe Jewish MuseumLower East-Side
Tenement Museum
Transit Museum Access Programs Autism
Workshops Life-Skills and
Tactile
The Jewish Museum Summer Camps Sunday
Workshops School Tours Touch Tours
The Lower East-Side Tenement Museum Talking Tactile Tablet Autism Tours Shop Life Touch Tours
What YOU Can Do: Best PracticesStaff TrainingCommunication Safe EnvironmentTime limitsEngagementStructure AND FlexibilityAdaptationHAVE FUN!
