RAF Museum wins Autism Access Award
First cultural venue to win autism-friendly status
The Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum in London has become the UK’s first cultural venue to win an Autism Access Award.
The National Autistic Society (NAS) presented the award to the museum last Friday. The Autism Access Award is a mark of recognition that shows people with autism and their families and carers that a venue is autism-friendly.
The museum was recognised for the improvements it has made to ensure it is more accessible to visitors with autism.
These include creating a dedicated section for accessibility within the museum’s website and a downloadable autism friendly trail, with photographs and maps to allow people to familiarise themselves with the site and its signage ahead of their visit.
Onsite, the museum has created clearer signage and set aside a quiet space within its main hall. It has also committed to delivering an autism awareness training programme for staff and volunteers.
Ellen Lee, the museum's education officer and leader of the project, said: “I am very happy that the museum has been recognised for its efforts to improve accessibility for all its visitors.
"We hope that we will inspire other museums and galleries to become more autism-friendly.”
Robert Pritchett, the NAS's director of Autism Accreditation, said: “The NAS is delighted that the Royal Air Force Museum is the first cultural venue to win our Autism Access Award.
"The NAS has already received many compliments about the venue, its exhibitions and online resources from parents and our adult service users, so this award is thoroughly deserved.”
The National Autistic Society (NAS) presented the award to the museum last Friday. The Autism Access Award is a mark of recognition that shows people with autism and their families and carers that a venue is autism-friendly.
The museum was recognised for the improvements it has made to ensure it is more accessible to visitors with autism.
These include creating a dedicated section for accessibility within the museum’s website and a downloadable autism friendly trail, with photographs and maps to allow people to familiarise themselves with the site and its signage ahead of their visit.
Onsite, the museum has created clearer signage and set aside a quiet space within its main hall. It has also committed to delivering an autism awareness training programme for staff and volunteers.
Ellen Lee, the museum's education officer and leader of the project, said: “I am very happy that the museum has been recognised for its efforts to improve accessibility for all its visitors.
"We hope that we will inspire other museums and galleries to become more autism-friendly.”
Robert Pritchett, the NAS's director of Autism Accreditation, said: “The NAS is delighted that the Royal Air Force Museum is the first cultural venue to win our Autism Access Award.
"The NAS has already received many compliments about the venue, its exhibitions and online resources from parents and our adult service users, so this award is thoroughly deserved.”