Further engagement projects are essential to the core objectives of the International Training Programme. Finding ways to give our fellows the widest possible opportunities for further training, skill-sharing, professional development and networking is fundamental.
Working with colleagues in the Learning and Programmes and Asia Departments, the ITP supported Siddhant Shah, Museum Access Consultant, Access For ALL (India, ITP Fellow 2021) to join us at the British Museum for a project developing a sensory trail for autistic adults visiting the Ancient India: living traditions exhibition.
“In Autumn 2023, I visited Mumbai as part of a trip exploring the possibility of borrowing devotional works of art from CSMVS (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya) for my exhibition Ancient India: living traditions. I was also keen to meet up again with ITP Fellow Siddhant Shah of Access for ALL, who is also based in Mumbai, because his work ensuring everyone can access arts and culture is so important and I wanted to bring this approach to the forthcoming exhibition. Over lunch, we chatted about opportunities for collaboration that would bring together community and accessibility.
The outcome was a sensory trail developed in partnership with the Asian People’s Disability Alliance (APDA) located in Brent, north London. Over several sessions, Siddhant joined APDA members alongside British Museum colleagues including Jaime Prada, Jessica Starns and Kajal Meghani. Together, they shaped a five-stop sensory trail which enables and encourages people to engage with sacred images on display in Ancient India: living traditions through sensory activities. Siddhant facilitated this trail in English and Gujarati as part of a Relaxed Opening and it was well received by participants!”
Sushma Jansari, Tabor Foundation Curator, South Asia, British Museum
The project’s foundations were built on community engagement, working in partnership with the Asian People’s Disability Alliance (APDA) to curate both a sensory trail and a supporting resource kit. The sensory trail was developed with five stops within the Ancient India exhibition, each offering a multi-sensory experience integrating visual, tactile, olfactory and auditory elements that extended opportunities for visitors to engage with the exhibition content beyond just looking.
During his time at the British Museum, Siddhant facilitated the sensory trail as part of a Relaxed Opening of the exhibition. Relaxed Openings welcome people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals and anyone with sensory needs seeking a calmer environment in which to view the Museum’s exhibitions. Siddhant conducted the trail in both English and Gujarati to 36 attendees, bringing the trail to life through linguistic accessibility and inclusivity.
You can find out more about Siddhant’s work by visiting the Access For ALL website. For more information about Ancient India: living traditions please visit the British Museum website.
Visit the Access for ALL websiteVisit the exhibition’s page on the British Museum website
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