SEND
The Learning Team are working hard to develop a series of resources for use by visitors with SEND. This page will share what is available so please keep coming back as we will add more resources over time.
Scroll down to find out about our fidget backpacks and how we’re learning Makaton to help our interaction with visitors.
Prepare for Your Visit
We have created a photograph walk through of the museum to help you prepare for your visit. This guide will show you a route through the galleries, the signage and other changes made.
We have created a PECS® style set of pictures/symbols to help you plan the sequence of your visit to the museum. The symbols match those on our museum map. Print, laminate and cut out to add to personal boards before visiting the museum. Some of the key signage is also included. This is also available to borrow in our fidget back packs.
There is also a schools version of this planning board available on request. This includes images representing the workshops schools may be attending.
Below is a trail that follows a one way route highlighting a key object in each gallery. This can be downloaded to phones/tablets and brought with you to the museum.
Visit resources
Makaton Signing
Some of the team are learning Makaton to help with interaction and communication with our visitors. We are in our early stages of learning but are trying our best to practice signing for key words linked to the museum.
Please bear with us – we’re bound to make mistakes!! (we don’t know everything yet!)
To help us learn and to give our visitors increased access we are introducing some Makaton symbols and their hand signs around the museum, including a Makaton finger signing trail over the summer. We’re hoping this will also encourage other visitors to learn another way of communicating.
Fidget Backpacks
Borrow a Fidget Back Pack
Spike’s Fidget Back Packs are available to help make your visit more enjoyable and help you keep calm as you explore.
These are available for family, school and individual visitors to use.
Included in each back pack are;
- ear defenders
- fiddle toys x4
- magnifying glass
- sand timers
- a puppet to show around
- a ‘Today I will visit’ PECS style visit planning board
- a map of the museum with quiet zones marked
- a photo list of contents
These are free to borrow by signing them out at the main reception desk and leaving some form of ID as security. (passport/driving license/credit card) This is stored securely and returned when backpack is returned. You are welcome to phone on the day of your visit to reserve a backpack to make sure there is one ready for you on arrival. 01622 602838
The visit planning board is designed to help families plan their visit around the museum and is in a similar style to the PECS communication boards used in schools and at home. They use the same symbols we have on our floor plan map.
If you are interested in having your own set of these to add to your own board, please see the downloadable document called Visit Sequence Cards above.
For more information regarding SEND in museums (around the country) go to www.sendinmuseums.org
To hear and see how our resources impact on family visits click here