The Comparative Museum Experience Of Atypical And Typical Learners

Community resources do their best work when they are inclusive to all those that are in the community. This is no different for those resources on a university campus - including campus museums. It is important on a university campus that includes a program such as the Scholars with Diverse Abilities Program to create a museum experience for those with different learning needs than those that are typical learners. The SDAP program, at Appalachian State University, works with students who have intellectual disabilities to reach personal growth and occupational success. Museums are a center for learning and growing but if the experience for atypical learners and typical learners vary significantly that proves that it is not accessible for all learners. The museum may physically be accessible but to take learning behaviors and abilities into account will create a more inclusive experience for all those who visit the museum. This thesis will introduce the problem of non-inclusive museum experiences and how experiences differ based on a learner’s ability and interest. By looking at qualitative data taken from surveys, a better understanding of how the two identified populations experience a museum was created.