Including learners with a disability in museums and cultural venues

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Background to this professional learning event

The Victorian government has made a strong commitment to improving access to and participation in learning for children and young people with special needs. It has outlined its vision for inclusive school education in the Education State, the publication of the Program for Students with Disabilities Review and the Government’s Response, Inclusive education for all students with disabilities and additional needs. http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/needs/Pages/disabilityprogram.aspx

The Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) recently announced new annual renewal requirements to include the undertaking of professional development in Special Needs. Based on these developments and a range of new initiatives they are implementing the co-presenters have collaborated to develop this half-day professional learning workshop.

Who should attend?

All VIT registered educators must meet the new professional development in Special Needs requirement by 30 September 2017 to maintain their teacher or early childhood teacher registration. The target audience for this professional learning initiative are educators working in Victorian cultural and scientific organisations (ie museums, galleries, heritage sites, zoos, environmental parks etc) in order to support them to maintain their VIT registration.

What is the workshop program?

The program includes an overview of key Department of Education and Training documents and resources and Sovereign Hill and Museum Victoria case studies which address the needs of children on the autism spectrum. It will conclude with a practical session of how to develop social stories.

Time: 1pm to 4pm

Date: Thursday 23 June 2016

Venue: Melbourne Museum

Speakers	Presentations (if available)
Jackie Brien Manager, Inclusion, Access & Participation Department of Education and Training	An overview of the disability standards for education – introduction to recent developments and resources published online.
Peter Hoban Education Team LeaderSovereign Hill	Meet Xavier – the inspiration behind Sovereign Hill’s Social Stories.

Adrienne Leith Senior Programs Officer Melbourne Museum	Autism Friendly Museum – overview of project and practical working session on how to develop sensory maps and social scripts. NB Bring your own device, map of your venue and photographs of the public spaces of your institution for the workshop. WORKSHEETS: Social stories Autism Friendly Museum Project at Museum Victoria