Designing autism-inclusive environments: Practical strategies for cultural and educational settings (1 week in Corfu)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Dates

2026: 21.09.2026 – 26.09.2026

2027: To be announced (Ask for dates)

Overview

Cultural institutions and educational organisations are increasingly called upon to ensure meaningful participation for all individuals, including those with diverse neurological profiles.

This one-week practical course equips participants with concrete strategies to design and implement autism-inclusive environments in cultural and educational settings. Focusing on real-world application, participants explore how museums, libraries, archives, schools, heritage sites, and community spaces can become more accessible, welcoming, and supportive for visitors and learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

By the end of the course participants will develop adaptable accessibility tools tailored to their own professional contexts.

Target audience:

This course is designed for professionals working in cultural, educational, and community settings, including teachers (primary, secondary, and higher education), special education professionals, school leaders, museum and cultural staff, librarians, archivists, people of the archaeological sites, youth workers and professionals interested in inclusive practice.

Objectives:

• Understand key principles of neurodiversity and ASD in relation to accessibility
• Identify environmental and communication barriers in cultural and educational spaces
• Explore practical strategies for inclusive spatial design and visitor support
• Develop skills in creating visual guides, structured communication tools, and accessibility supports
• Apply “project-based learning with formative interventions to authentic activities” to design a tailored autism-inclusive toolkit for participants’ own organisations
• Promote inclusive values and participation in professional practice
• Exchange experiences and best practices with European colleagues
• Strengthen intercultural awareness and collaboration

Module Description

Module 1: : Foundations of neuro-inclusion

Explore the core concepts of neurodiversity and ASD, and understand how neurological differences affect experiences in cultural and educational settings. Participants introduce themselves, share perspectives, and begin reflecting on accessibility challenges.

Module 2: Communication & environmental awareness

Develop practical skills to support ASD individuals through clear communication, structured information, and sensory-aware environment design.

Module 3: Evaluation & assessment

Learn to critically assess environments for accessibility, applying clear criteria and research-based evaluation methods. Participants analyse real-world examples and tools for autism-inclusive practices.

Module 4: Applied design workshop

Translate knowledge into practice by designing your own autism-inclusive toolkit tailored to your organisation or context. Focus on creating adaptable solutions that can be implemented in cultural and educational spaces.

Module 5: Implementation, evaluation & reflection

Apply the toolkit in real-life scenarios within your own organisation or simulated environments. Reflection, discussion, and peer feedback are integrated throughout to ensure continuous improvement and knowledge exchange.

Module 6: Cultural visits & experiential learning

Experience first-hand how cultural and educational sites can be made more autism-inclusive. Participants explore heritage sites, analysing accessibility, sensory considerations, and visitor engagement strategies.

This course offers a unique opportunity to move from theory to action, transforming inclusive values into practical solutions. Join us in designing environments where every mind feels welcome, supported, creative and able to participate fully.

See all available Erasmus+ courses we offer.

Destination:

Corfu is a beautiful green island, which enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate. Corfu is a very popular tourist destination. Up until the early 20th century, it was mainly visited by the European royals and elites. It is still popular with the global elite. The island’s history is laden with battles and conquests. Corfu was long controlled by Venice and repulsed several Turkish sieges, before falling under British rule following the Napoleonic Wars. Corfu was eventually ceded by the British Empire along with the remaining islands of the United States of the Ionian Islands, and unification with modern Greece was concluded in 1864 under the Treaty of London. Corfu is renowned for its long tradition and rich culture which is unlike any other Greek island. In 2007, the city’s old city was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you will also discover a compact world of beautiful beaches and stunning mountain peaks, ancient ruins and picturesque villages. There is something for everyone on the island, whether you prefer peace and quiet or a lively cosmopolitan destination.