The V&A Dundee museum in Dundee, Scotland, has announced dates for upcoming Sensory Friendly Days.
On August 10 and December 28, the V&A will prioritise the needs of visitors living with sensory processing disorders, learning disabilities and autistic spectrum conditions, by closing to the general public.
This closure guarantees a safer, less crowded and more comfortable experience for these guests.
The museum will also offer flexible visiting options and adapt its opening times so that visitors can participate in Sensory Friendly Days with a timetable that suits their needs.
“We have since first-hand how much joy our sensory-friendly sessions bring to people’s lives since V&A Dundee opened in 2018, but this is the first time we will run these sessions for a full day while the museum is closed,” said Peter Nurick, communities producer at V&A Dundee.
“Being able to use the museum in different ways means we can adapt the exhibitions to make them more comfortable and enjoyable for people who may otherwise have struggled to visit us.”
The museum’s Quiet Room will also be accessible to guests throughout the day, and several changes will be made to the museum’s sounds and light levels to avoid overstimulation and unnecessary stress.
PAMIS, a Scotland-based charity that promotes accessibility and inclusion, has also partnered with the V&A Dundee to offer ear defenders and sensory backpacks, with sensory toys such as fidget spinners, which are designed to keep users focused and calm.
Rachel Persheyeva, PAMIS volunteer, said: “It’s vital that we understand the distinctive needs of people who are often excluded from society. By focusing on these needs, and working to remove barriers in the lives of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, we have them to achieve equal access to society.”
“The sensory-friendly backpacks have been carefully designed, incorporating our key learnings on vision, hearing, and other senses. This makes them an effective tool in helping people with their learning and communication needs.”
The museum has partnered with PAMIS to supply sensory friendly backpacks and ear defenders for visitors CREDIT: V&A DUNDEE
Guests will be able to access the museum’s Quiet Room throughout their visit, and changes will be made to its sounds and light levels to ensure a comfortable experience CREDIT: V&A DUNDEE
