In 2018 following a pilot project I ran with special needs schools and local museums, I wrote The Special Schools and Museums toolkit, which was the only sector guidance on this subject.
In 2020 I secured funding from Arts Council England and National Lottery Heritage Trust to create www.sendinmuseums.org which is a portal website to advocate, educate and signpost people on this topic. I wrote the content for the website and edited the SEND family resources which are free to download.
I also regularly write articles for the Museums Journal and SEN Magazine as well as comment pieces for other outlets including blogs.
Here are links to some of my articles and those I others I have contributed to:
SEND in museums • SEN Magazine
Learning from Lucy • SEN Magazine
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities website launched – Museums Association
We can be heroes – Museums Association
Play time – Museums Association
The no ‘end result’ rule – Send in Museums
If you’re in need an experienced and dedicated voice to advocate for SEND, disability or neurodivergent inclusion in your publication, please do get in contact with me.
“Sam is a proactive member of the museum community and one of the sector’s go-to voices for SEND access, inclusion and representation.
She has chaired the Museums Association’s popular one-day Conference, All Inclusive: Championing Accessible Museums, for two-years running and provides a cohesive and knowledgeable perspective on all aspects of disability inclusion.
She has also written numerous articles for Museums Journal and contributed to many others, alongside supporting the MA with its anti-ableism work. Her expertise on this area of practice is invaluable.
She is not afraid to be provocative and challenge people, but is also supportive and champions the work of others. She is curious, has a great sense of humour and is open to learning. Sam always brings her A Game which makes her a safe pair of hands and a pleasure to work with.” Rebecca Atkinson, Museums Association