Technology+and+Amenities


 * Technology for People who are Blind or have Low Vision

Braille** is a code used for writing language, numbers, and music that is legible to people who are blind. The Braille alphabet comprises six cells, two columns of three dots each, which are raised or left flat in combinations that stand for different letters.

A single cell of Braille. == The Braille alphabet. Large dots are raised, small dots are left flat.

Words in Braille may be written in full, with all letters spelled out, or, using a system known as Grade 2 Braille, can involve a significant number of contractions for faster reading. Unlike printed text, writing Braille letters larger does not improve use; in fact, doing so may impede its usage because a single fingertip cannot cover the entire six-dot cell. The Braille Authority of North America provides [|standards and guidelines] for using Braille in texts and signs. For more information on resources and partners who can assist with providing Braille for your museum, please see our resources page.

Information provided using Braille need not be less detailed than information provided on flat signs. As the [|Nordiska museet], a museum of Swedish history and culture in Stockholm, has shown, it is possible to use a combination of Braille and raised images to create a full experience for visitors who are blind or who have low vision. In the article linked above, Dr. Geerat Vermeij describes his positive experience in the museum, where raised images could be lifted to reveal twenty lines of Braille describing the tactile artifact and its context in great detail, and insists that "the availability of Braille transformed a potentially sterile walk through museum galleries into a thrilling journey into Swedish cultural history, but even more it provided a degree of independence and self-discovery." All visitors should have access to a wide range of materials and the stories that enrich the interaction with the objects.

Two hands explore a raised line drawing of a painting of Saint Sebastian. Image courtesy of [|Hoëlle Corvest Morel & Dorine in't Veld.]


 * Tactile materials,** including **three-dimensional replicas, artifacts that may be handled** (by the individual visitor or as part of a touch tour), **raised line drawings,** and **contemporary art made to be touched**, enhance the experience of exhibitions for all visitors, especially those who are blind or who have low vision.

Replica materials may re-create the full artifact, or may reflect only a certain crucial part of an artifact or painting, such as an intricate detail or a particular pattern of brushwork. Three-dimensional recreations of buildings can assist the visitor in understanding the architecture of the museum or becoming oriented in the space.

When artifacts are made available for handling, it is essential that the visitor-facing staff of the museum knows where these objects are and what, if any, restrictions limit their use, such as restricting tactile interactions to scheduled touch-tours. If it is essential, gloves may be used to protect the object, but this limits the perception of the person who is interacting with the artifact.

Raised line drawings can be used in different ways: they may be provided on a wall or next to a case containing the object they replicate, they may be provided in a companion booklet to the exhibition, These are also useful for creating museum maps to be used by visitors who are blind. For more information on tactile materials in museums, see [|Art beyond Sight] and [|One doesn’t give sight to a blind person; one gives insight.]

 People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing have a range of hearing loss. Some people are congenitally deaf while others lose their hearing later in life. The diversity of this community is reflected in the variety of ways available to make audible information accessible. These individuals require visual representations of auditory information. Many communication access improvements are inexpensive and easy to implement. Useful communication tools may be as simple as providing paper and pencil for writing brief messages.
 * Technology for Visitors who are Hard-of-Hearing**

For those people who are hard of hearing, providing visitor-operated volume controls like the “audio tour” with headphones can help them hear at above-average volume. Individual volume controls on hand-held audio receivers provide additional access to music for this audience.

In addition to acoustic tours, handhelds are being incorporated into museum exhibits, like the “iTour” currently being tested at the Blanton Museum of Art. These portable devices present the information visually, as well as playback video and audio with extended descriptions of the artifacts and the artists commenting about their work.
 * iTour Aid**

Blanton Museum of Art “iTour” research study In an interview with //Glenda Simms// (Systems Analyst, UT Information Technology Services); she describes the process of adapting a technological device (like the iTour handheld) to let people with disabilities experience an exhibit.

//“While the handheld computers are not accessible, we always knew that if we designed the iTour application using Flash that we could port the entire application to the web where a person with a disability could easily use their adaptive technology on their own PC. (screen reader, alternative keyboards, alternative mouse, voice recognition, etc). Since the iTour was a temporary research project, we did not have enough resources available to make the online version accessible. But we did prove that we could make it accessible//. Another wonderful museum guide company, Antenna Audio, has developed some very good accessibility options. Their options include Audio Tours for the visually impaired visitor, Virtual Tours for increased access and Sign Language Guides for Deaf visitors. // Last, but not least, there is always the ability for any visitor to request a real human being to guide them through the museum. While technology options are great, you just can't beat the service that a real human can provide. This certainly needs to be on the list as a valuable resource for all visitors (with or without disabilities)”. //

For people who are deaf or hard of hearing to understand presentations with a narrative soundtrack, they need a print translation of the narration. This print can either be open or closed captioning or a verbatim transcript. Audio-only programs require a printed text; ambient soundtracks should be described in a label. [Smithsonian Institution]. The primary concern is to ensure that audio output information is provided in a redundant equivalent visual form.

Captioning is the visual display of spoken material. It is, by far, the most effective method of presenting narration in print. It allows people to watch the images and the text simultaneously. A script requires a back-and-forth effort between the screen and the script. It also requires a minimum of 16-point type, visual cuing to scenes and key points, and sufficient lighting for reading. Captioning should also identify who is speaking and indicate non-verbal cues such as sound effects, laughter and music. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, who do not know sign language and cannot use assistive listening systems will benefit from captioning. Closed Captioning ** Requires a decoding capability for display on a standard television receiver and can be switched on and off by the visitor on demand. Closed captioning is frequently used for television broadcasts, videotapes and DVDs. Cultural organizations often use closed captioning for video presentations with a sign next to the video display stating, “Press the button to view this video with captioning.”  ** Interpreters ** People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may request interpreting services to ensure full participation in events, meetings and conversations. Interpreters will interpret between spoken English and American Sign Language (ASL), Manually Coded English, or Cued Speech. To ensure effective communication, consult the person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing on their preferred method. 
 * Captioning**
 * 

· **Include transcript for any audio materials (in a print format). ** · **Include synchronized captions for any video materials. ** · **When content is narrative, provide sign language description. ** <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 140%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 140%;">When content is verbal, provide captions. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 140%;">Recommendations **

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