Developing Your Creative Practice Update and Q&A

It has been a while since I have written a blog on here so thought I would start with an update on my Developing Your Creative Practice project and launching a new series of blogs!

Update

Thank you to everyone that completed my questionnaire or had a chat with me about the current situation with accessibility within the sector.

Following the research phase, I am now busy working on the trial phase with three sites. I am really enjoying testing out new ways of working and seeing what approaches I would like to take into my future work.

Once this testing phase is completed, I will be reflecting and evaluating ready to officially launch my new support offers by the end of 2025.

Q&A

As part of the current phase of the project, I would also like to try out a new series of blogs. Each blog will be a Q&A where you can submit questions around accessibility for neurodivergent people. These questions will be shared anonymously on the blog.

I have kept the topic of this Q&A open as the first in the series, however going forward I will have a theme for each blog for questions to be submitted about.

Themes will include Learning Programmes, Interpretation, Events, Recruitment, Supporting Current Employees.

Please sign up to the newsletter or follow me on social media to find out when you can submit your questions for upcoming blogs!

Thank you for those who submitted questions for this blog!

Question 1: Where can I find an access consultant?

The reality is that there currently isn’t one central place where you can find a directory of access consultants.

I have often wondered about trying to set one up myself but this would be quite time consuming to set up and manage.

Therefore, I would recommend looking at supplier directories on Museums Association and GEM websites as well as asking within your own networks for recommendations.

There are many freelance consultants with an access focus who are active on LinkedIn and other social media platforms so looking within your online networks would also be a good place to start.

Question 2: How can pay people with lived experience?

There are often concerns around paying people with lived experience due to the impact that this can have on benefits. However, it is important to still provide some reimbursement for the people providing you with their expertise.

A key way to do this is in the case of Access Panels is by offering vouchers for the same value as a payment instead. I am also aware of sites that offering free tickets to events that they have advised on as well.

Please note that if the person with lived experience is a freelancer or consultant then you should be paying them their rates of pay.