Creating Social Narratives Workshop

Presented in partnership with Oklahoma Museums Association

Date: Monday, September 30, 2024 | 9:30am-4:00pm
Location: Sam Noble Museum, Norman, OK

Social narratives are one of the most effective tools to welcome neurodivergent visitors and their families to your space. These brief descriptive stories help visitors prepare and feel comfortable when they visit your institution. 

Are you familiar with social narratives already but don't know where to start to create your own?
Or maybe you're not familiar at all, but are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for the whole community.

No matter what your previous experience is, we can teach you why, when, and how to create this invaluable resource for your cultural institution.

Sample Social Narrative Page for Oklahoma Railway Museum. Includes ORM logo, picture of a train engine, and text that says "I am going to visit the Oklahoma Railway Museum to ride on a real train."

Sample Social Narrative page for Oklahoma Railway Museum

Join us for an immersive day-long workshop dedicated to mastering the art of crafting social narratives. Hosted by an occupational therapist and a school psychologist from Square Holes, this workshop is tailored for professionals from museums and cultural institutions eager to enhance their visitor experiences.

Discover the power of social narratives and how they can empower neurodivergent visitors and their families to feel comfortable and engaged during their visit. Through this interactive session led by industry experts, you'll gain practical skills and insights into creating compelling social narratives customized for your institution's unique environment.

You’ll leave this workshop with a deeper understanding of social narratives and the skills and tools required to implement them in your organization. Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionize your organization's accessibility and inclusivity efforts. Reserve your spot today and take the first step towards creating meaningful experiences for all visitors.

By the conclusion of the workshop participants will:

  • Understand the Role of Social Narratives: Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the concept of social narratives and their significance in creating inclusive museum experiences, particularly for neurodivergent visitors and their families. Through guided instruction, they will explore the underlying principles and benefits of social narratives in enhancing visitor comfort and engagement.

Sample social narrative page for Philbrook Museum of Art. Includes a photo of green gardens with white pathways, a multicolored sculpture, and text that reads, "The Philbrook is a place where I can see artwork and beautiful gardens."

Sample Social Narrative page for Philbrook Museum of Art

  • Develop Practical Skills in Narrative Creation: Attendees will acquire practical skills and techniques for crafting effective social narratives tailored to the unique environment and offerings of their respective museums or cultural institutions. Through hands-on exercises and collaborative activities, participants will learn how to identify key elements, structure narratives, and incorporate inclusive language and visuals to meet diverse visitor needs.

  • Be Ready to Implement Social Narratives: Participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to implement social narratives within their spaces effectively. They will learn strategies for the dissemination and integration of narratives across various touchpoints, including signage, digital platforms, and visitor guides, to foster a more accessible and welcoming museum environment for all visitors.

Sample of the first page of a social narrative written for A-Escape Room. Includes the A-Escape logo and a paragraph describing the escape room.

Sample Social Narrative page for A-Escape

Lunch details to come.