Museums are amazing spaces which deliver fascinating programmes and exhibitions for audiences of all ages and interests. But what about if you’re neurodivergent? How does a museum ensure its’ space is accessible for Autistic, ADHD, dyslexic or other neurodivergent people?
The Neurodiverse Museum is an organisation working across the UK, to support museums and other cultural organisations to understand how to do this, and do it well!
Key considerations
There are lots of different types of adjustments which can make accessing or working in a museum easier. It’s important that these aren’t tokenistic, stereotypical, or focus only on one audience – for example children. And remember - not only is it really important to make sure that museum spaces provide adjustments for neurodivergent visitors and staff, it’s a legal requirement!
Here are some key things to consider when creating accessible spaces for neurodivergent people.
1. Don’t assume, ask!
AKA - Nothing about us, without us
The most important thing that underpins everything here, is to ask us what we need and want to see in a museum space! Neurodivergent people are not homogenous. We have different knowledge and different requirements, so different types of neurodivergence requires different responses and adjustments to meet our needs.
Museums can only begin to understand all of this by involving and engaging with neurodivergent individuals and communities. And that means speaking with us! And I don’t mean asking people who work with neurodivergent people, or parents of neurodivergent people, but neurodivergent people themselves.
2. Help us plan
Planning a visit to a museum is always easier if we can see what will happen when we’re there. You can start with adding clear details to your website, event entries, and leaflets with notes on the facilities available and link to a map and more details. Even better, create a simple smart phone film which guides the visitor from entering the museum, to exploring the gallery spaces.
3. Help us navigate
Ensuring that signage is clear, practical and accurate is essential. Entering the museum should be easy and accessible – signs which navigate a visitor to the information desk, to pick up a map, or to specific galleries are perfect. Likewise, making it clear where the loos, lockers, quiet spaces, or refreshments spaces are is critical.
A sensory map (which we can download on our smart phones or have in paper form on site) can make it easier for us to plan our visit and navigate when we’re on site. Maps can include where quiet spaces are, likely bottle necks to avoid at certain times, and when there are bright lights or loud audio are also helpful. (© National Paralympic Heritage Trust)
4. Help us read
Using a larger sans serif font and text that isn’t black on white can support dyslexic visitors and other neurodivergent people. Pen readers (electronic devices that scan text and read it aloud via headphones), QR codes, and audio guides are also valuable.
5. Provide a quiet space / time
Having a room that is specifically designed for neurodivergent people to access if they need quiet space or time, is a great way to support us with a busy gallery space. It also helps if you highlight in your marketing when there might be quieter times to visit.
Providing a quiet space can support many visitors. The young people who worked with Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens on their creative New Wave event for Heritage Open Days made sure one was included. (© Jack Herron)
Beyond the building
We’ve focussed this blog on adjustments within the museum space to link to the theme of architecture – Heritage Open Days’ festival theme for 2025. But it’s so important to remember that making museums equitable for neurodivergent audiences also includes making sure we’re heard within collections and displays, and making sure working and volunteering for museums is just as easy for us, as it is for everyone else.
Find out more
- The Neurodiverse Museum provides training, support and guidance on how to develop equitable museums for neurodivergent people.
- Neurodiversity Celebration Week has lots of free events and resources.