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

Qualitative/ Preference Based Questions

Participants rated their enjoyment, ease of perceptual interpretation, and the strength and quality of their experience with full round models almost 33% higher than with bas-relief models and 50% higher than with raised line models. In addition, participants found that bas-relief and raised line models were more difficult to form a mental image from. With regard to textures, participants rated their enjoyment and perceptual interpretation higher for the more robust textures. The participants indicated a preference for more complex patterns such as random spots and wavy stripes. These patterns were considered more challenging but far more interesting. Conceptualizing subtle gradations of textures like countershading was found to be difficult. It should be noted that the data did not identify diabetic participants who might be less sensitive to touch.