Abstract
In this presentation, I will introduce Sensory Heritage, a methodology I have developed through my practical work in museums, galleries, and cultural spaces, alongside my ongoing research. This interdisciplinary approach integrates sensory storytelling with cultural history to create inclusive, engaging experiences for individuals with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). Drawing from case studies such as my Heritage Lottery Funded project, Profound & Multiple, and collaborations with the National Football Museum, MK Gallery, and the British Museum, I demonstrate how sensory narratives can foster access, communication, and emotional engagement for individuals who are often marginalised in heritage spaces. Through this showcase, I discuss the process of co-producing sensory experiences with communities, integrating real testimonies, and using sensory archetypes to create connections between the past, present, and personal histories. By emphasising the importance of authenticity and representation, I challenge traditional models of accessibility, showcasing how sensory methods provide an embodied, meaningful form of interpretation. This session will provide practical insights into applying sensory storytelling as an essential tool for inclusive museum practice, and it will offer attendees new perspectives on how sensory heritage can reshape cultural engagement, provide lasting impact, and ensure that individuals with PMLD are active participants, not passive observers, in the interpretation of heritage.
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
SENSORY HERITAGE, INCLUSIVE PRACTICE, CO-PRODUCTION, SENSORY STORYTELLING, LEARNING DISABILITIES
