My child is lying on the floor, screaming. Everyone is looking at us. He’s causing a ruckus, but at 70 pounds he’s too big for me to carry out of the museum. My only hope is to calm him down so that we can leave for a safer, less-stimulating environment.
Enter the security guard, who yells repeatedly over my son’s screaming that we need to leave immediately. “I’m trying,” I tell him, as I feel my own resilience beginning to dissolve. My child did eventually calm down and we left, not returning for several years.
It’s not always easy to bring children to a museum, especially if your child has a physical, cognitive or behavioral disability, or other special need. Fortunately, museums have recognized their role in providing access to all of us, including removing physical barriers, providing special programming for specific populations and training staff to respond appropriately.
The first step in a quality museum experience is planning. Especially for parents of autistic children or those with sensory needs, a phone call can often provide guidance to enhance the museum experience. When are off-peak times when the museum is likely to be less busy? Are there any scheduled field trips? Planning to visit a museum during a quieter time can not only reduce sensory overload but make it easier to interact with museum staff if additional needs may arise while visiting.
A virtual tour can be helpful to familiarize one’s self with parking, entrance and restroom information, but it can also reduce the impact of a novel environment. If possible, plan to attend when a museum has specific accessible programming for your child’s needs.
For instance, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum offers “Abe for All,” which includes a variety of accessible programming.
The last Sunday of January, July and October from 1-5 p.m. are billed as Sensory Friendly Sundays. A free and thorough pre-visit packet is available which describes each area of the museum and assigns a ranking as to its potential for overstimulation. Lights and sound are modified throughout the museum, and a quiet room is available.
The ALPLM also provides occasional programming for the deaf community, with sign language interpreters and labels that describe sound effects for exhibits.
As part of its regular operations, the ALPLM offers complimentary wheelchairs and strollers, assistive listening devices, sign language interpreters (request in advance required), foreign language guides, social stories (picture-based narratives of what to expect) and busy bags, which include headphones, fidget toys, social story cards and sensory maps.
The Illinois State Museum also has sensory bags available for checkout, as well as items like accessible scissors and pencils for visiting classes. Jamila Wicks, advancement director at the ISM in Springfield, says their visible efforts of accessibility and inclusion are eclipsed by what has been going on behind the scenes.
“We have undergone a lot of training – training our staff on what a diverse, equitable, inclusive environment looks like. It’s a first step and will continue as part of our strategic plan,” states Wicks. “We’re making sure our visitor services team is educated and understands what an inclusive environment for the museum looks like. We are a state museum. We are for everybody.”
Wicks said ISM is open to feedback and suggestions for improvement. “All programs are looked at through the lens of how we can be accessible. We want to know what you need.” As museums engage those with disabilities in the conversation, our needs can be better accommodated, resulting in a more equitable experience for all.
In addition to removing barriers for those with disabilities, the Museums for All initiative offers those who qualify for EBT (SNAP) cards reduced or free admission, truly making our museums for all. Inquire at your local museum to see if they participate, and if not, invite them to do so.
Carey Smith is an autistic parent of an autistic child and welcomes efforts to provide more accessible public places for all of us.
This article appears in Capital City Parent May 2023.
