Exhibit Design Relating to Low Vision and Blindness: What Visitors with Vision Loss Want Museums and Parks to Know about Effective Communication

Models with audio

In the National Air and Space Museum’s “America by Air” exhibition, participants explored three model airplanes with touch-activated audio. The models are smooth metal but a sample piece of the exterior “skin” of each airplane is adjacent to the models. In effect, the participants were working with a prototype of the exhibit, as it was not yet complete. The interviews conducted with each participant brought up the following design issues:

Size

It was challenging for some people to determine the relative size of each airplane compared to the others through touch alone. A positive aspect of the audio was that it worked in tandem with tactile exploration of the models. Participants were hearing about the differences of the planes as well as feeling it. The audio also helped explain why there were differences.

Accidental cueing of the audio

A bump could activate the audio and at other times direct pressure to the model didn’t turn it on. A few participants suggested that a physical barrier of some nature between each model would be helpful so you wouldn’t accidently cue the audio of the adjacent model while examining a plane.

Multiple audio tracks playing at the same time

It was easy for some participants to differentiate between audio tracks and focus on the one that they were listening to while ignoring the others. Other people found it distracting. Participants felt a barrier, possibly of Plexiglas, would help isolate the audio tracks and make it possible for more than one person to use the display at a time. They also suggested a headset option or a pause button. The pause button would allow a visitor to finish their tactile examination of the model without triggering a repeat of the audio information.

Delayed start and forewarning for the audio

A participant expressed a desire to initially touch a model without any audio. A few people commented it would be disconcerting to touch a model and have audio come on without warning. A possible solution would be to have an audio attract which says, “please touch the plane for audio” in addition to signage.

Absence of standard print or Braille

Participants wanted label text for the exhibit and Braille identifier labels for the models.

Audio description and sound effects

The description was praised for being clear and informative. One participant said “I thought the audio description was excellent because at each point they mention, you can very easily associate it with something on the plane and the comparison factor was cool.” Some people would have liked more in-depth information. Participants thought the sound of the plane would be a good addition to the audio track.

Color

A participant said it would be desirable to include color in the audio description, especially for kids who are blind or have low vision to further their development of associations for colors.

Overall

Participants were much less critical of the models than the Wright Brothers tactile graphics and map. They said it was a fun exhibit.