Lemos&Crane's research into the experiences of people with learning disabilities of harassment, abuse and cruelty drew attention to the ways in which the social lives of adults with learning disabilities living independently too often revolve around day centres, pubs, cafes and sitting at home watching television and the internet. Access to more meaningful social lives, including faith communities, sports clubs as well as the arts, museums and galleries, are an essential component in building resilience, wellbeing and protective, empowering social networks.
Unlike in ordinary education, children and young people with learning disabilities in special education are not routinely taken to museums, galleries or theatres. As a consequence the Roman centurions, dinosaurs, the Pharaohs or Renaissance paintings remain outside their experience but not beyond their comprehension.
There are many longstanding, widely respected arts groups either working specifically with people with learning disabilities, or working inclusively with people with learning disabilities as part of artistic practice and participation with a variety of diverse groups. However, progress on improving access to mainstream venues is limited, patchy and not sustained. Adult social care and supported housing providers could also do more to ensure that people with learning disabilities have access to and participate in the full range of social, cultural and artistic activities in communities.
Despite longstanding commitments to access, participation, learning and diversity, museums, galleries and arts venues are not required by funders or policy makers to promote access for people with intellectual disabilities in the way that they are expected to for other diverse groups.
Lemos&Crane are undertaking a short scoping study funded by CIty Bridge Trust into the work of arts groups, performing arts venues, galleries and museums in London about their work with people with learning disabilities.
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