Of possible interest... Begin forwarded message:

From: Michelle Lopez <michelle@QueensMuseum.org> Subject: Sharing: Tools for Including Families Affected Date: December 19, 2012 6:13:59 PM EST To: "'Mchelton@optonline.net'" <mchelton@optonline.net>

Hello Mary,

Daniel Nkansah, Coordinator of Children’s Services at Queens Library asked me to share with you the work we have been doing together through a grant by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Attached you will find a guide created for cultural institutions seeking to serve families affected by autism. The lessons disseminated in this booklet are a collection of best practices captured through Collaborative Action Research, over a 3-year process. These practices present themselves in a variety of tools for improvement within our model for programming in ArtAccess at Queens Museum of Art. We have tested these tools in various community settings (i.e. schools, libraries and museums) and across various educators teaching a variety of modalities (i.e. Art-making, Intro to Chapter Books, Photography, DJing, Masala Banghra).

How can this tool be used? Parents can use this tool to advocate for stronger programming in the community for their children. Educators, in museums and librarians, can use it to adapt programming towards Universal Design for Learning to better serve children with special needs. Cultural Institutions can understand how they can contribute to the continuum of educational needs and quality of life of people with special needs. Here is the link to the flipbook: http://snack.to/fup823nt

FREE printed copies of the guide can be requested via this 2 minute questionnaire: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9B8VNXS

Warm regards,

Michelle López Manager of ArtAccess Programs & Autism Initiatives Queens Museum of Art New York City Building Flushing Meadows Corona Park Queens, NY 11368-3398 mlopez@queensmuseum.org T: 718.592.9700 ext. 138 Twitter handle: @mlopezArtz

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Room to Grow: A Guide for Arts Programming in Community Spaces for Families Affecetd by Autism- http://snack.to/fup823nt