"Museum visits: Guide for visitors on the autism spectrum"

(Ionian University) On Tuesday, April 2, on the occasion of the World Autism Awareness Day, the Museum Collections of the Ionian University invite you to participate in the experiential activity of designing visitor guides for museums for individuals on the autism spectrum at the Typography Collection and in the open discussion that will follow with Dr. Ioanna Karelou, Social Worker, and Social Anthropologist.

The event begins at 18:00 in the courtyard of the Ionian University, I. Theotoki 72.

The discussion will start at 19:00 and will take place at the Library and Information Centre of the Ionian University, I. Theotoki 72.

The lecture will also be streamed online via ZOOM using the following link: https://ionio-gr.zoom.us/j/97411936718

Meeting ID: 974 1193 6718

Talk summary

Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a biologically determined disorder. It is one of the most complex and difficult-to-understand psychological disabilities with different levels and forms of dysfunctions such as cognition, communication, and behaviour. Those with ASD present peculiarities that make their visit to a museum with many unknown parameters (unfamiliar space, large crowds) challenging. Ensuring a pleasant experience for visitors on the autism spectrum seems to be a priority for those managing such spaces. The meeting will present Information and Communication Technologies tools that can effectively contribute to the accessibility of visitors on the autism spectrum to cultural spaces.

Brief biography of the speaker

Dr. Ioanna Karelou is the Principal of Corfu Unified Special Vocational Junior High-High School. She has studied Social Work and Social Anthropology, as well as postgraduate and doctoral studies in the field of individuals with intellectual disabilities at Keele University in the United Kingdom. Her research interests focus on special education and individuals with disabilities.