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The SENSE Spaces Team has evolved from its initial inception as the SMILE Team. The aim of this team is to explore the potential for multi-sensory environments (MSEs) for different community segments. We know that MSE allow users to control their sensory experiences. This may result in stimulation or relaxation of the primary senses depending on the equipment chosen.

Multi-sensory environments often contain equipment such as fibre optics sprays, bubble tubes, music, colour, lighting and aroma boards which can be used by users to provide either calming or stimulatory experiences.

The initial catalyst for this project was a needs assessment conducted by CareWays Community that showed a need for a multi-sensory environment at the Horsely Community Centre. Researchers at the University of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ worked with CareWays Community to establish a multisensory room that met the needs of the community. The CareWays Community Sensory Room officially opened on July 1, 2017.

The team have collaborated on a UOW Community Engagement Grant to establish a website that provides guidance to both individuals and organisations who want to create a multi-sensory space for their home or community.

Funding received in 2019 will be used to examine the immediate and lasting impact of using an MSE. The introduction of a design thinking approach with a coordinated communications plan will be used to drive this phase of the research.

• Creating an Accessible and Inclusive Community with the SMILE Sensory Room, UOW Global Challenges, 3 December 2019
• , WIN TV, 29 June 2017
• , UOW, 28 June 2017
• , UOW Research, June 2017
• , UOW, 27 October 2016
• , WIN TV, 26 October 2016 

• Cameron, A., Burns, P., Garner, A., Lau, S., Dixon, R., Pascoe, C., & Szafraniec, M. (2019). Making Sense of Multi-Sensory Environments: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 00(00), 1–27.
• Mayersen, D., Dixon, R., Lau, S., Garner, A., Burns, P., Cameron, A., Pascoe, C. & Szafraniec, M. 2019, ""She Would Love That": Identifying Community Needs in a Multisensory Environment", Progress in Community Health Partnerships, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 5-6.

Project Management Team

• , School of Computing and Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Information Systems
•  Graduate School of  Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
• , School of the Arts, English and Media, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
• , School of Business, Faculty of Business and Law
• Mr Michael Szafraniec, Operations Manager, Careways Community
  
  

Advisory Group

• , School of Education, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
• Dr Sim Lau, School of Computing and Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences
• , Leader of Teaching and Learning, Alesco Illawarra
• Mrs Carly Pascoe, Community Engagement Officer, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ City Council
  
  

Collaborating Team Members

• , Indigenous Knowledges, Learning, Teaching and Curriculum
• Ms Jaymee Beveridge, Director, Woolyungah Indigenous Centre
• Ms Martha Johnson, Manager Education & Experiences, Early Start Discovery Space
• Mr Matt Ball, Volunteer & Community Coordinator, Early Start Discovery Space
• , School of Education, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
• , School of Education, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
• Mrs Naomi Sheridan, PhD Candidate, School of Computing and Information Technology

This project is working towards the :