Access and inclusion at WA Museum Boola Bardip

Some Rocky Bay customers had a blast exploring the WA Museum Boola Bardip as part of the Kaya Wandjoo Club! Kaya Wandjoo Club is a WA Museum program created especially for individuals living with disability, helping everyone connect with the stories at Boola Bardip in fun and meaningful ways.

During their visit, our customers had so much fun discovering the Origins exhibition, exploring Western Australian sites and stories, learning about the solar system and the formation of ancient landscapes. They also enjoyed fun activities, including drawing their own solar systems and uncovering fascinating facts about different types of rocks.

We had a chat with the team at the Museum to learn more about the Kaya Wandjoo Club and gain insights into access and inclusion at Boola Bardip for all visitors.

What inspired the creation of the Kaya Wandjoo Club?

The Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip is a vibrant centre for inspiration, learning and enjoyment for everyone. Kaya Wandjoo Club (KWC) was created specifically for adults living with intellectual disability, to make the Museum’s galleries more accessible, inclusive and engaging. We want everyone to feel that this is a welcoming place for them to explore our galleries, connect with collections and feel a true sense of belonging.

How does the program cater specifically to adults living with disability?

By meeting the needs of people with disability, KWC enhances access and inclusion at Boola Bardip for all visitors.

The program allows plenty of time, so nobody feels rushed. Wide walkways, quieter foyer spaces and comfortable seating options make the Museum easy to navigate for wheelchair users, support workers, family and friends.  The galleries themselves are multisensory with an abundance of objects to touch and feel, thoughtful soundscapes, immersive digital experiences and innovative visual displays, engaging all the senses.

Each KWC session is thoughtfully designed to support different levels of engagement.  During the ‘touch box’ sessions, participants can choose to hold, touch and explore every object as well as or simply watch, listen and relax – whatever suits their comfort level Everyone has the same opportunity to join in, and that is what we strive for. 

Flexibility is key. Don’t love craft? Let’s head back into the Gallery. Loved the Bobtail? Let’s go see Bobby again. Or let’s just sit and have a chat. The focus is on autonomy, enjoyment and choice.

What kind of feedback have you received from participants or support workers since the program began?

The best feedback we can receive is that the participants keep coming back!

One support worker commented on how well the Volunteers engage with everyone in a natural, warm and friendly manner. They know the participants, remember their interests and have genuine conversations while building meaningful connections.  As Volunteer Coordinator, that is something I am incredible proud of. The sessions are enriching for everyone involved, as our Volunteers learn just as much and genuinely love taking part. I always have more Volunteers wanting to sign up to support KWC sessions.

What have you noticed about Rocky Bay customers’ participation and how they engage with the museum’s exhibitions and activities?

It has been fantastic to see how eager everyone is to participate in hands on activities – like patting a live python, handling the giant cast of the ‘Golden Eagle’ gold nugget, or experimenting with art they haven’t tried before. The silver posca pen used in the Galaxy artwork session was a real success, adding flash and sparkle to their creations.

Are there any particular moments or stories from Rocky Bay group visits that highlight the program’s value?

During the Remarkable Reptiles presentation in Wildlife Gallery, one participant told us his favourite animal was a turtle. We happen have a tortoise shell in our touch box collection and were thrilled to offer him the chance to hold a real tortoise shell. He was delighted to show it to his friends, sharing his enthusiasm for turtles with the whole group!

Anything else you’d like to add?

By the end of the 12-month program, we hope participants feel truly confident and connected at Boola Bardip. We want the participants, their families and support workers to know that a visit to the museum is not only possible, but enjoyable and inclusive. Our goal is for them to feel the Museum meets all their needs, with minimal barriers to access, and that they are genuinely welcomed here.  We hope they will continue to visit, making full use of their memberships, and share their experiences with family and friends while they continue to enjoy the museum long into the future.

A big thanks to the WA Museum for this amazing opportunity, and our customers look forward to coming back soon.