Warm Welcomes and Good Goodbyes!
Remembering that SEND families have the exact same expectations as any other family visiting your museum, will really help ensure you provide inclusive services.
1. A warm welcome means being open to the needs a family may have to settle into the space, orient themselves, and start their journey well. Friendly staff who include every member of the group in their warm welcome, as well as reassuring families that they are welcome and highlighting any accessibility resources, facilities, or programming available, such as sensory backpacks and quiet areas to relax in.
2. Extending an open and transparent offer of help and support when needed, and identifying what staff wear as a sign of who to approach if assistance is required during the visit.
3. Listening clearly to any access requests that the family may have and accommodating those when possible.
4. Taking any comments, feedback or complaints seriously and managing them at the time.
5. A Good Goodbye means asking everyone in the group for their feedback, even if it’s just a ‘thumbs up’ gesture or ‘how was your visit?’
Feel free to use this Widgit symbol board, designed by Sam Bowen, to ask non-verbal individuals how they feel as you say goodbye. They may tap, gesture, or eye-point to convey their feedback, and their support adult or parent may need to interpret that for you. Asking their opinion matters, not just for the person being asked, but for your museum in gathering essential feedback!
