Abstract/Summary

purpleSTARS developed from the award-winning Sensory Objects (2012 – 2015) The project aimed to improve the accessibility of our cultural heritage for those with learning disabilities, helping them interpret museums, galleries and archives by combining art, technology and opportunities to explore using all our senses. Sensory Objects was led by artists and technologists fromthe University of Reading with co investigators from RIX Research and Media at the University of East London. Collaborating with co-researchers from; Liverpool Mencap Access to Heritage forum (A2H); Reading College Learners with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities Department; and the Tower Project London. The Sensory Object research project worked with museums and heritage sites including, Speke Hall (Liverpool), The Museum of English Rural Life (Reading) and The British Museum (London). The research project underscored the need for accessible heritage interpretation developed with and by those with disabilities, and, the benefits of their wider involvement in the sector. The follow on funded Sensory Objects Enterprise - Co Development and Start Up project, purpleSTARS was founded to fulfil this need and build on the successful practice developed by researchers during the Sensory Objects project. purpleSTARS brings together artists and technologists with and without learning difficulties/disabilities totransform museum experiences and make them really inclusive. The enterprise aims to: • Create sustainable employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities as artists and technologists to help make museums engaging and inclusive. • Enable museums to bring a richer sensory perspective to their collections and use digital tools to widen the appeal and inclusivity of what is on offer. • Support people with learning disabilities to communicate their insights and expertise so as to augment sensory museum experiences. • Work with museum teams to rethink the design and curation of their collections with people with learning disabilities to widen their appeal to everyone.