Interactive sensory objects for and by people with learning disabilities

Allen, K. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7981-862X, Hollinworth, N., Hwang, F. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3243-3869, Minnion, A. and Kwiatkowska, G. (2016) Interactive sensory objects for and by people with learning disabilities. The International Journal of the Interactive Museum, 9 (1). pp. 21-38. doi: 10.18848/1835-2014/CGP/v09i01/21-38

Abstract/Summary

This project engages people with learning disabilities to participate as co-researchers and explore museum interpretation through multisensory workshops using microcontrollers and sensors to enable alternative interactive visitor experiences in museums and heritage sites. This article describes how the project brings together artists, engineers, and experts in multimedia advocacy, as well as people with learning disabilities in the co-design of interactive multisensory objects that replicate or respond to objects of cultural significance in our national collections. Through a series of staged multi-sensory art and electronics workshops, people with learning disabilities explore how the different senses could be utilised to augment existing artefacts or create entirely new ones. The co-researchers employ multimedia advocacy tools to reflect on and to communicate their experiences and findings.