Oxfordshire Museum receives first SEND Youth Forum Seal of Approval
Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are being encouraged to discover the county’s history at a museum recognised for helping visitors feel included, welcomed and valued.
The Oxfordshire Museum, which is run by Oxfordshire County Council, has become the first organisation to receive the SEND Youth Forum's Seal of Approval.
The SEND Youth Forum was created by the council to strengthen the voices of young people with SEND in Oxfordshire, helping to shape services, improve support and provide opportunities for them to share their experiences, ideas and aspirations. Members who recently visited the museum found it to be a welcoming, engaging and accessible place to explore local history interactively.
Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council's 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 feedback from forum members shows how important it is to listen to young people and involve them in shaping inclusive and accessible visitor experiences. We are grateful for their insight and look forward to welcoming them back in the future."
The award recognises the work the museum has undertaken to improve accessibility in recent years. As well as receiving the Seal of Approval, the museum has joined the Safe Places scheme, committed to seeking regular input from its Access Panel on everything from website information to temporary exhibitions, and introduced the Bloomberg Connects app to improve the visitor experience.
The Seal of Approval recognises organisations and venues that help children and young people with SEND feel included, welcomed and valued. Forum members were impressed by the museum's welcoming approach, accessible environment and engaging ways for visitors to learn about Oxfordshire's history.
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