A number of people have offered suggestions on using Braille as a good way
to provide programming for anyone that is visually impaired, and although it
is a good solution for individuals who can read Braille, there is a very
small percentage of people (all things considered) that can actually do
that. For the most (there are exceptions) Braille is usually taught to and
mastered by people who are born without sight or lose it at a young age.
There is, however, a growing elderly population here in the US, and many of
them are hard of sight, if not legally blind that would  benefit from these
type of services. And for the most part you can be pretty sure that the
average senior citizen probably does not read Braille. Audio tours and
exhibits that are tactile in nature are some of your best options. Also you
may want to consider printing brochures in large typeface, to help visitors
with limited sight, that might not be willing to admit that they "need" an
audio tour.

I have been told that the National Park Service did an excellent job
redesigning the Statue of Liberty a number of years ago to be experiential
for everyone - you might consider contacting them. Also consider contacting
the National Center on Accessibility (http://www.indiana.edu/~nca/) - they
focus on accessibility issues dealing with recreation, parks and tourism.

Kathleen

____________________________________________________________

Kathleen Meehan
Grants Coordinator
Tennessee Aquarium      [log in to unmask]
One Broad Street                (423) 785-4106
Chattanooga, TN 37401   (423) 267-3561 fax

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