Visitors in The Blind School exhibition
We’re looking forward to hosting Rethinking Disability on Friday 9 March. A symposium for the museums and galleries sector, the aim is to bring together individuals committed to creating to bringing about real and lasting change.
Esther Fox, Head of Accentuate said:
“We know that Museums and Galleries are wanting to support better access and representation for deaf and disabled people. We also know there have been significant strides towards this over the last 10 years. However we still have a long way to go and we are not at the point where inclusive practice is the norm. This event provides an opportunity for people to share, learn and most importantly challenge thinking, encouraging people to take more risks.”
The symposium is part of History of Place, a national project run by Accentuate, which explores 800 years of disability history through eight different sites around the UK.
Keynote speakers:
• Jocelyn Dodd, Director of RCMG, University of Leicester will reflect on the progress the sector has made, ten years on from the ground breaking Rethinking Disability Representation (2008) project.
• Sharon Heal, Director of the Museums Association, will speak about why improving the visibility and involvement of disabled people within the sector is a key concern.
The symposium will also feature:
• An opportunity to hear and learn from the curatorial team from M Shed Bristol, the Museum of Liverpool and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London who have all been instrumental in shaping the History of Place exhibitions.
• Anna Fineman, Museums, Galleries and Heritage Programme Manager at Vocaleyes will be discussing their latest research about access in Museums for visually impaired visitors.
• A chance to see the landmark, accessible exhibition The Blind School: Pioneering People and Places, which explores the history of the UK’s first school for blind people