Access

Access for All Cohort 2026

*Applications for this year’s cohort are now closed*

This development programme is delivered by Museum Development North and nationally recognised Access consultants, with contributions from a range of expert guest speakers and case studies from across the region.

By the end of the cohort museums will better understand how to make their services more accessible. Support will have also been provided to help participants review their Access Policy and update their Access Plan.

What the programme offers    
The cohort will be delivered via a mixed programme – including 4 full day in-person meetings and 5 online sessions (June 2026 – February 2027) with an expectation of commitment to attending all the sessions. In response to museum feedback the programme has been designed to be very practical with lots of opportunity to turn learning into action, increase confidence via practice and develop resources.

We will foster a friendly, confidential and inclusive learning environment with support from the programme manager, lead consultant and your peers!

Development Programme Dates

Monday 22 June, Online, 10.30am-noon, Cohort meeting – programme overview and introductions
Thursday 9 July, 10am-4pm, Access for All – Accessibility Essentials Workshop, Wakefield Museum
Monday 7 September, Online, 10am–1pm,  Welcoming Families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Thursday 17 September, 10am–4pm, The Art & Nature of Sensory Engagement, South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
Wednesday 14 October, 10am–4pm, House of Memories, Dementia Awareness Training, Museum of Liverpool
Monday 16 November, Online, 10am–12.30pm, Neurodiversity Awareness Training
Monday 14 December, Online, 10am–1pm, Visual Awareness Training
Monday 11 January, Online, 10am–12.30pm, Accreditation Access Policy and Plans
Tues 23 February, 10am-4pm, Co-production and Consultation, Treasures of the Brotherton, University of Leeds

What impact did it have on previous cohort members? 

• This programme is excellent and I’d encourage anybody working in museums to sign up if they can. Access for All came at the perfect opportunity for our organisation, as we are going through a capital redevelopment project the learning from this programme has been so informative and helped guide how we approach and embed access for when we reopen.
• I have found many aspects of the cohort incredibly useful. In particular, being able to hear from individuals with their own lived experiences of disability has been invaluable. Especially with such a clear focus on the museum/heritage sector. 

What are people developing as a result of being involved in the 2025 cohort?

The group were inspired to make a wide range of improvements, including:

• Creating an access plan
• Sensory backpacks
• Access focused front of house guide for a new exhibition
• Collaborating with customer service team to create ‘Did You Know’ posters at visitor entrance touchpoints to highlight accessibility resources,
• Audio description for an international loan of objects for an external exhibition
• Bespoke sensory journey workshop
• Setting up a staff and volunteer access group

If you have any questions about the Access Cohort, please contact Liz Denton liz.denton@museumdevelopmentnorth.org.uk