A collection of eight fun activity cards co-designed by local people with disabilities
Over the last few years RAMM has been working alongside disability support organisations – CEDA, Magic Carpet and Pelican Project – to co-design a monthly programme of visits. Each visit started with a picture quiz card to encourage exploration of a particular gallery, then a short museum-themed activity, and ended with relaxed time for refreshments and creative feedback.
Each picture bingo card was created between sessions by one of the partner organisations, with staff facilitating the active input of participants with disabilities. The museum activities ranged from opportunities to handle African masks or World War Two objects to experiencing a magic lantern slide show, hands-on creative time after a contemporary art exhibition, and meeting a live Roman soldier.
RAMM is keen to develop expertise in co-creation, combining its skills in telling objects’ stories and creating enjoyable museum experiences with the perspectives and requirements of people with varying disabilities.
The project brought together organisations working in the same field, who often share clients but rarely communicated before. The three main partners reached out to others in the region, and enjoyed talking to each other.
“It’s lovely to see social time for carers. It’s an opportunity for them to chat about their… work and exchange.” Pelican Project
Covid unfortunately delayed the creation of the final resource, but the co-created bingo cards have now been professionally produced and printed into a series of eight A5 hand-outs. The final design was approved by our disability partners to ensure it was both accessible and fun for our audiences.
The cards can be used by carers and personal assistants when supporting people with disabilities in visiting the museum, but are also suitable for any of our visitors who would like an extra activity to enhance their visit and with some playful exploration. They are available free of charge for any audience to enjoy at Queen Street and Garden Reception.
Feedback so far…
“The game was easy – nice to see some friends.” Visitor with disabilities
“More musical instruments and more things to touch, please.” Carer
“It’s lovely to see social time for carers. It’s an opportunity for them to chat about their… work and exchange.” Pelican Project
The background
Around 105,000 of Devon’s adult residents live with a disability, according to 2011 Devon County Council statistics. It can be hard for people with disabilities and their carers to take advantage of the region’s natural and cultural highlights. A day out can mean encountering out-of-reach toilets, steps at crucial sites, out-of-order lifts, or no calm space if anyone needs a moment to wind down. Paid carers’ shifts rarely allow time for planning activities to overcome potential obstacles, and many carers lack the confidence and energy to try new places.
RAMM is striving to be reliably accessible. There are level surfaces into and around the whole building, spacious gender-neutral toilets, and thought has gone into designing signs, displays and online materials. Although the museum has a wealth of experience in nurturing wellbeing, it needs to learn more about designing appropriate interactive experiences for people with less coordination or verbal capacity.
A variety of disability support organisations operate in Exeter – each with valuable knowledge and experience, and a trustworthy reputation among people with disabilities and carers. Many of these groups use RAMM on an occasional – even regular – basis.
Museums have the potential to inspire meaningful interaction. The environment is free from institutional baggage and can be both stimulating and relaxing. RAMM is attempting to include more people with disabilities in the mainstream activities of the museum, and has partnered with Heritage Lottery Funded project Heritage-Ability.
RAMM hopes to continue to learn with and from visitors with disabilities to create multisensory activities and spaces for the museum, providing another way for visitors to engage with the multitude of stories and themes it houses.
Further information
Maya Herbolzheimer
Engagement Officer, RAMM
T 01392 265965
