Join us on a journey of self-expression and global citizenship!

This project is an innovative Erasmus + programme devised by artist Julie McGowan and lead by the University of Atypical for Arts and Disability, Belfast.

Urban Survival Kits is an international learning initiative, exploring how disabled and neurodiverse adults can develop and design personalised survival kits to aid their local, national and international travel requirements.

This creative partnership sees the University of Atypical work in collaboration with local participants from the NOW Group, Belfast and our European partner organisations from Cotopaxi, Poland; Blauschimmel Atelier, Germany; Akdeniz University, Turkey and Upset Theatre, Croatia. This project is participant led and aims to empower d/Deaf, disabled and Neurodiverse people.

Together we’re developing survival kits for travel exploring the different ways we navigate the world. During the workshops we’ve been finding out what individual participants need when planning travel adventures. The project participants worked collectively to create a blueprint for Urban Survival Kits which can be adapted for any place, time or situation.

We want to remove the barriers that d/Deaf, disabled and Neurodiverse people experience when travelling and want to create communication tools that are tailored to ensure positive travelling experiences.

This exhibition maps out our creative journey that started online in January 2022 hosted from Belfast. Firstly artists spent 3 fun days online, building connections and learning from each other. After this each group in our partner countries spent 10 days experimenting with art in preparation for travel to Belfast.

In June 2022 a group of 50 people participated in a week-long, hybrid learning programme that took place in the Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens and the Crescent Arts Centre. The Urban Survival Kits exhibitions is the result of our time together and the start of planning adventures.

To find out more information about this Erasmus + programme check out our project card on www.erasmusplus.org.uk

USK includes a series of hybrid live and online workshops which are specifically tailored to provide an inclusive and immersive learning experience and provides a safe way of experimenting, externalising, reframing and ultimately sharing real-life stories and experiences.

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