Commitment to Access

We believe that everyone should be able to easily navigate our facilities and enjoy our programming. That’s why we are committed to making our experiences accessible and inclusive for all visitors.

• Onsite accessibility: We work to provide clear and intuitive wayfinding that considers the needs of all visitors, including those with visual, auditory, or mobility differences. For events like Science for All: A Sensory-Friendly Science Night, this can include a social narrative document to help guests navigate the building and know what to expect.
• Amplifying underrepresented voices: We are dedicated to offering programming and exhibits in multiple languages, as well as culture-specific initiatives that celebrate and honor the diverse histories, voices, and perspectives that make up our community. One such initiative is our Hidden No More program.
• Visitor feedback: We offer visitors an opportunity to share their experiences and ideas to identify needs and improvements.

We believe all audiences should be able to connect and engage with our programming. We work to increase access and deliver programming that welcomes communities across the state.

• Reach audiences through community influencers and schools
  • We work directly with school districts like Gates County implementing programs like Saunders Science Scholars.
  • We support Boys and Girls Clubs to produce programming and offer scholarship programs.
  • We prioritize a robust school and camp scholarship program to support Title 1 schools.
  • We support the GSK Science in the Summer™ program by providing training and materials to local community organizations.
  • We produce the North Carolina Science Festival, highlighting science across the state through partnerships with local schools, educators, HBCUs, and community organizations. NCSciFest initiatives like Duke Energy Science Nights, SciMatch, Science for All Youth Summit, and FUTURES ensure accessible programming across NC.
  • We engage with professionals to inspire greater accessibility to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through the Science for All Summit.
  • We partner with UNC TEACCH and other local organizations to provide Science for All: A Sensory-Friendly Science Night for guests with various sensory sensitivities. This event also provides a social narrative document to help attendees navigate the building and know what to expect.
• Provide free and reduced-cost programming available to the public
  • We regularly host community science events like Teen Science Cafe, Carolina Science Cafe, and skywatching that are free and open to the public.
  • We participate in the Museums for All initiative, offering reduced-priced admission tickets and memberships to SNAP EBT cardholders.

We believe that differences in backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences are a key driver of innovation and success, and we strive to create an environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and supported.

• Access initiatives specialist: We employ a full-time specialist who serves as the daily operations manager for Morehead’s access efforts and initiatives that serve our internal staff, external partners, and communities.
• Hiring and professional development:
  • We place a welcoming workplace culture at the forefront of hiring and onboarding processes, from requiring at least one Access and Opportunity Committee member on each hiring committee to setting a foundation of belonging during onboarding, training, and professional development experiences.
  • Approximately 1/3 of Morehead’s employees identify as a member of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community (data regarding other identities and intersectionality is not available).

Established in 2015, the Access and Opportunity (AO) Committee serves to meet the organization’s inclusivity, opportunity, and accessibility goals. This group determines areas of need to better connect with our visitors, partners, and employees, both in terms of participation access and visitor experience.

• Goals and implementation:
  • To promote employee engagement and retention, the AO Committee works intentionally to survey staff experiences and provide career growth opportunities.
  • To improve guest and staff experiences, the AO Committee develops strategic plans to determine Morehead’s social responsibilities and expand on the organization’s Science for All mission.

• Social Committee: This team works under the AO Committee to plan events intended to educate and/or support Morehead staff members, ranging from students to full-time employees. Past opportunities include brown bag lunches, square dancing, and poetry events.