Abstract

Individuals with disabilities or special health care needs may find it difficult to participate in their public spaces. Community spaces frequently lack access. Young children with special needs and their families face barriers to engaging with their community. Parents of young children with disabilities are often isolated and do not participate in social activities. The UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities says people with disabilities have a right to participate in cultural life and recreation. Being excluded from cultural life is not only a tragedy for the child and his/her family, but also a loss for society who would benefit from diversity and social inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Many families of a child with a disability or special healthcare needs often become isolated from their community. Specifically, families of children with disabilities may not feel comfortable participating in community-based experiences for a variety of reasons. Accessibility is one possible reason. Many places are not accessible for children with disabilities. For example, a child with a physical disability may have difficulty accessing a park. Parents may worry about their child’s safety. Universal design principles are often limited for young children with disabilities and their families. This session will share a case study of a project that was conducted at the Robert Henri Art Museum within a rural community in Cozad, Nebraska.

Presenters

Marisa Macy
John P. Ellbogen Foundation Professor of Early Childhood Education, School of Teacher Education, University of Wyoming, Wyoming, United States

Dana Vaux
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Interior and Product Design/Department of Industrial Technology, University of Nebraska - Kearney, Nebraska, United States

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

2023 Special Focus—Museum Transformations: Pathways to Community Engagement

KEYWORDS

Accessible Communities, Social Inclusion, Rural, Case Study, Art Museum, Henri

Digital Media

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