Exhibit Design Relating to Low Vision and Blindness Summary Report: Research on Effective Use of Tactile Exhibits with Touch Activated Audio Description for the Blind and Low Vision Audience

Phase II – Textures

The test procedure and purpose of this portion of the study was introduced to the participants using a standardized verbal description. Included in the introduction was a discussion of the natural varieties of fish coloration and the ways in which fish utilize color and color pattern to adapt to their representative habitat.

Three general patterns of fish coloration were verbally introduced to the participants (spots, stripes and counter shading). As the verbal description was read, participants were given tactile texture examples of each pattern to touch. Each of these general color patterns was divided further into different variations of each pattern (Spots - large bold spots, small random spots, and small evenly spaced spots; Stripes - horizontal stripes, vertical stripes, and wavy stripes; Countershading - even countershading, and wavy countershading).

Participants were introduced to the different types of color pattern by using a verbal description that explained how each fish would utilize its particular color pattern to blend into its environment. For instance, the stripes on a fish serve as camouflage if they live among aquatic grasses. During the verbal description participants were given sample tiles with each of the color texture patterns to explore. The sample tiles were grouped by their general characteristics; spots, stripes and countershading and represented all of the varieties discussed. Three groups of fish were modeled to represent the three general styles of fish coloration. Each group represented a different fish species. Each member of a group was modeled to represent one of the color patterns in that group. This process resulted in the development of, a total of eight (8) different color patterns.