Every design decision can make the user experience better or worse. Successful inclusive design requires informed decision-making at the concept stage, because it can become prohibitively expensive to make changes later on. This kit describes the four main phases of inclusive concept design: Manage: Review the evidence to decide ‘What should we do next?’ Explore: … More
Neurodiversity Celebration week was founded by neurodiversity advocate Siena Castellon. According to the Department of Education, 15% of students in the United Kingdom have a learning difference such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia or dyspraxia.
This week aims to acknowledge and celebrate the many positive aspects of being neurodiverse and create a more positive perception about what it means to be neurodiverse and to change the educational landscape so that SEN students have positive school experiences. Find out more information on how to get involved here.
Celebrating unique perspectives and the value that comes from different outlooks, Neurodiversity Celebration Week encourages people to recognise the benefits that come with autism and neurodiverse perspectives. Cinemas across the country offer relaxed environment or autism-friendly screenings, with adaptations to make the space more comfortable and accessible for autistic people to enjoy film as individuals or with their families.
Organisations such as the UK Cinema Association, Dimensions, National Autistic Society and FAN have worked with cinemas to support them in welcoming autistic audiences. You can find listings for some cinemas which host Relaxed and/or Autism-Friendly Screenings here and on event listings on the Accessible Screenings website.
Greenock | Fun Film Club at the Waterfront
Dunoon | Autism Friendly screenings at Studio Cinema
London | Relaxed Screenings at BFI Southbank
Leeds | Relaxed Screenings at Hyde Park Picture House
Glasgow | Take 2 Access at Glasgow Film Theatre
Glasgow | Access Film Club at Glasgow Film Theatre
Belfast, Glengormley & Coleraine | Autism friendly screenings at Movie House Cinemas
Stockton | Relaxed performances and screenings at ARC
Dundee | Relaxed Screenings at DCA
Worthing | Autism Friendly screenings at Worthing Theatres
Neath | Relaxed Screenings at Gwyn Hall
Walsall, Dudley, Nottingham, Derby, Leicester & Coventry | Autism Friendly Screenings at Showcase Cinemas
Saffron Walden | Relaxed Screenings at Saffron Screen
London | Relaxed Screenings at Barbican
Hebden Bridge | Autism Friendly (Relaxed) Screenings at Hebden Bridge Picture House
Birmingham | Relaxed events and screenings at Mac
Canterbury | Accessible film screenings at Gulbenkian
Chester | Relaxed Screenings at Storyhouse
Merlin Cinemas | Penzance, Redruth, Falmouth, Torquay, Ilfracombe, Okehampton, Coleford, Cromer, Kingsbridge, Prestatyn | Autism friendly screenings at Merlin Cinemas
The UK cinema sector is recognised as a world-leader in terms of its work to support and welcome disabled cinema-goers. Many of the changes made by UK cinema operators in this regard pre-empted and indeed went further than the requirements placed on cinemas, and others providing goods, facilities or services to the public, by the … More
Dimensions provide free national autism friendly training for all cinemas across the country. They also partner directly with ODEON, Cineworld, Vue, Showcase and Picturehouse to host autism-friendly screenings at over 350 cinemas nationwide. On Sunday mornings throughout the month, films suitable for all audiences are screened in a sensory friendly and inclusive environment.
One in a hundred people in the UK have autism. That’s enough to fill Wembley Stadium nearly eight times over. That’s a fact. But there are an equal number of myths surrounding autism that are, frankly, unhelpful. Ambitious About Autism dispel some of the biggest myths and give you the lowdown on all the stats … More
Some simple signage that can be used to mark out spaces in venues for autism-friendly screenings.
Taking steps to make your venue more accessible is beneficial to everyone – from shops trying to increase sales to attractions aiming to increase footfall; and from wheelchair users to young parents out and about with prams. Here are some top tips for making your venue as accessible to as many people as possible.
A guide for practitioners and providers The main aim of this guide is to equip mental health providers and professionals with tools that will enable them to offer a service that is inclusive and able to cater for the needs of adults with both ASD and a mental health problem. This guide sets outs a … More
In 2015 Disabled Access Day, 16 March, began as a day to celebrate good access and to create opportunities for people to try something new. The day was very much about highlighting the fantastic access that already exists in places, experiences such as going on a touch tour, enjoying a relaxed performance, sensory experiences, signed events, level access and of course a warm welcome! Often these activities and experiences are hard to arrange or create a sense of anxiety and fear.
Cinemas across the country offer access for people who may have visible or hidden disabilities, as well as offering specific accessible screenings, such as subtitled, audio described, BSL interpreted, relaxed environment, autism-friendly, and/or dementia-friendly screenings.
Your Local Cinema lists many subtitled and audio-described screenings
Accessible Screenings UK also list autism-friendly, subtitled and audio-described screenings
Michelle is the Involvement and Engagement Coordinator for Dimensions, an Autism Ambassador and mum to three autistic children. She does a lot to improve understanding and opportunities so she was asked to write a blog for World Autism Awareness Day.
