Community · Oxford
Oxfordshire Museum secures first SEND Youth Forum Seal of Approval
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
The Oxfordshire Museum has been recognised for its commitment to inclusivity, becoming the first recipient of a new accolade designed to champion accessible heritage experiences.
The Oxfordshire Museum has become the first organisation to be awarded the SEND Youth Forum Seal of Approval. The recognition marks a significant step for the venue in ensuring its facilities and exhibitions are accessible, welcoming and inclusive for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The award was established by the SEND Youth Forum, a group created by Oxfordshire County Council to empower young people to influence local services and share their personal experiences. Members of the forum visited the museum to assess its environment and were impressed by its interactive approach to local history, finding the venue both engaging and easy to navigate.
Councillor Neil Fawcett, Cabinet Member for Community and Corporate Services, said: "We are delighted that the Oxfordshire Museum has received the SEND Youth Forum's first ever Seal of Approval. This recognition reflects the museum's commitment to ensuring everyone can enjoy and engage with Oxfordshire's rich heritage and collections."
The museum has implemented a range of measures to improve accessibility in recent years. Beyond the new accreditation, the site has joined the national Safe Places scheme and established a dedicated Access Panel. This panel provides consistent feedback on all aspects of the visitor experience, including website functionality and the layout of temporary exhibitions.
Further efforts to enhance inclusivity include the integration of the Bloomberg Connects app, which provides digital tools to help visitors engage more deeply with the museum collections. Officials hope that the new seal will serve as a standard for other venues in the region to follow, encouraging a broader commitment to inclusive visitor experiences.
"The feedback from forum members shows how important it is to listen to young people and involve them in shaping inclusive and accessible visitor experiences," Councillor Fawcett added. "We are grateful for their insight and look forward to welcoming them back in the future."
Source: Oxfordshire County Council · View original