Empower Parents: Inclusive Cultural Mediation for ASD Families at Espacio Fundación Telefónica

Empower Parents is a cultural mediation program focused on making cultural institutions more accessible and inclusive for families with children on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It involves co-designing workshops with families and museum educators.

The 'Empower Parents' program, originating from the Queens Museum in New York and implemented in Spain since 2013, aims to transform cultural institutions into more welcoming and inclusive spaces. Espacio Fundación Telefónica has been part of this initiative since 2021, participating in the #RedEmpower alliance of Spanish museums and institutions. The program is designed for families with children aged 6 to 12 who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and are interested in cultural engagement. It operates under a participatory methodology where family adults co-design workshops with the museum's educators, offering their perspective as caregivers of children with ASD. The program incorporates specific resources for inclusion, utilizing methodologies like TEACCH, augmentative communication systems, and structured environments. At Espacio Fundación Telefónica, 16 sessions are held monthly from October to May, divided into adult-only sessions for co-design and family-wide sessions. Interested families apply through the website, with a typical application period between July and September.

Interested families can apply through a form on the website. Pre-selected families are interviewed by the responsible team. The typical application period is between July and September each year, communicated via the website and social media channels. More information on the #RedEmpower and other institutions' calls can be found on www.empowerparents.es.