Discount museum admission: Beginning in July 2019, with the support of a local foundation, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum began to offer discounted admission to families who qualify for Bridge, EBT, or SNAP benefits. The almost 75% discount off of Museum admission allowed families to visit the Museum at a reduced cost of $3/person. The three-month pilot program was so successful that the Museum elected to continue offering this discount through the winter holidays and into the spring of 2020. From July 2019 – February 2020, the Museum was pleased to welcome over 4,000 visitors through this program - from as far away as Ohio, Texas, New Mexico, Utah, and Alaska! Most importantly, we were happy to welcome our neighbors from across southeastern Michigan including Washtenaw, Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties. Recognizing the importance of this opportunity, we continue this program today, underwriting the offset admission through our own fundraising and operations, and seek funding to keep this as an ongoing support for our community.

Camp Scholarship program: Through funding from the Ralph C Wilson Jr. Foundation, we piloted a full-service camp scholarship program in 2019 available to middle school participants at Community Action Network sites. In summer 2020, to provide support to families impacted by Covid-19, we expanded this program to allow members of our community awarding scholarships to over 100 families. We hope to use this experience to expand our scholarship program in the future to continue to make our camp program more financially accessible.

Scholarships: Our scholarships subsidize Museum programming through on-site field trips, outreach, or distance learning programs, for schools where 50% or more of the students receive free or reduced lunch. With support from Delta Dental Foundation and PNC, we distributed subsidies to over 95 schools located across 11 counties. This equates to more than 7,700 students who were able to experience the science, technology, engineering, art, and math concepts they have learned in the classroom in an applied and interactive way.

Neurodiversity training: Beginning in 2016 we have included training for staff in sensitivity and inclusivity as well as inviting presenters from Chasing Summer to lead neurodiversity training sessions. Camp leadership participated in a mentorship program through Camp Tall Tree and have modified camp processes based on training and feedback received there. From this success, we have expanded neurodiversity training and understanding throughout our program staff, and ongoing training opportunities.

Exhibit design and build: throughout the Museum there are exhibits designed and even built by our own staff. Many of these exhibits were modified to intentionally accommodate different abilities, with considerations for varying heights, visual and sound access. Visual cues are used for non-english and younger visitors, as well as silhouettes to invite the visitor to see themselves within the graphics and design. Silhouettes were of varying genders, appearances, and abilities.

Playscape design and build: throughout the process of community input, design and build we have brought access and inclusion to the forefront in our nature Playscape. From an accessible pathway, to considerations for people with cochlear implants, to ways to access various features for those with varying physical abilities, we are working to make a naturally hilly and adventurous space as welcoming to all who visit.

Recruitment/Hiring: Utilize best practices for inclusive hiring including how we describe positions and qualifications, where we advertise employment opportunities, and making our interview process inclusive and accessible.

Orientation, staff training and development: Provide consistent orientation across departments around IDEA work, engaging all audiences, organizational core values, and how to create an inclusive space of belonging for all. Bring a lens of inclusion and equity to staff coaching and opportunities for development.

Staff Training & Leadership Development: Include staff training costs in organizational budgets and provide leadership opportunities to employees across the organization.

Organizational Communication: Continue to build transparency and communication between organizational leadership, staff, board, volunteers and visitors.