Kate is an artist, researcher, and founder member of purpleSTARS. www.purpleSTARS.org.uk purpleSTARS are a group with and without learning disabilities who aim to make museums and heritage sites more inclusive and fun using sensory materials, art and technology. Purple was chosen for the name as it is the colour associated with disability, STARS stands for Sensory Technology Art Resource/Research Specialists. Kate led the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) project ‘Interactive multi-sensory objects developed for and by people with learning disabilities’ www.sensoryobjects.com and until recently was an Associate Professor in Art at the University of Reading.

Self-advocate, co-researcher and a peer trainer. I have been working with people with learning disabilities and professionals from education, health and social care settings since 2007. I am a Wiki Master in using Rix Wiki software—an accessible, secure, and easy-to-use platform for creating simple personal websites which can be used to create multimedia person centred plans that use video, pictures, sound and words to capture the voice, skills, aspirations and needs of the individual.

Sam is an artist and purpleSTARS coresearcher. Advocate for learning difference and disability community. Council worker and contributes to many learning difference groups including Bubble Club, Create and Quality Checkers.