Jo Grace, founder of the Sensory Projects, discusses her work in creating inclusive experiences for people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. She shares her journey from teaching to developing sensory stories and the importance of ongoing learning and improvement in the field of inclusion. Jo emphasizes the value of simplicity and accessibility in her work, using everyday materials to create meaningful experiences. She highlights the power of monosensory experiences for individuals with profound disabilities and the need to break down complex concepts into manageable components. Jo Grace discusses the importance of inclusive research and the challenges of conducting research with people with profound intellectual disabilities. She shares her journey of obtaining funding for her sensory projects and her six-month research period to understand how people with disabilities perceive the world. Jo emphasizes the need for silence and allowing processing time for individuals with disabilities. She also talks about her current PhD research on identity and belonging for people with profound intellectual disabilities.

Find out more about Jo's work here https://www.thesensoryprojects.co.uk

Keywords

inclusion, sensory projects, profound intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities, sensory stories, accessibility, monosensory experiences, inclusive research, profound intellectual disabilities, sensory projects, processing time, identity, belonging.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

04:38 The Journey Towards Sensory Stories

07:21 Challenges and Reflections on Inclusion

10:18 The Power of Sensory Stories in Education

17:23 Kickstarter Campaign and Funding

23:34 Bringing Glastonbury to School

26:48 The Impact of Sensory Stories

30:04 The Joy of Sensory Engagement

34:37 The Power of Simplicity in Sensory Engagement

35:59 Reimagining Photo Voice Work

38:21 The Power of Silence and Processing Time

45:13 Navigating the Challenges of Inclusive Research

53:54 The Journey to Recovery

01:04:33 Creating an Accessible and Inclusive World

I am so grateful to Jo for sharing her story in this conversation! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!