Hello!
Regarding heights for exhibits and interpretive signage -- or any activity
for that matter. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 has very
specific guidelines for placement of these things.
If someone is in a wheelchair, a table top or counter top must be between
28" and 34" high, so that people have enough knee clearance when they pull
up under the table in their wheelchair. Knowing that height can also help
determine the height of an exhibit. Never just speculate. Please take the
time to do it right -- and find the right resources. Here are a few:
To the best of my memory, signs should be mounted with the centerline 60"
from the floor. raised characters should be between 5/8 and 2" hihg with
high contrast (usually light print on a dark background is best --
character heights pertains to room numbers and rest rooms and exits),
Brailled text of signage is also helpful -- or offer an alternative format
with a booklet in Braille AND in large print for visitors. If you are using
a pictogram, it must be accompanied by raised characters and Braille.
Directional and informational signs, if mounted above 80", must have letters
at lest 3" high, with high contrast and non glare finish.
The ADA is divided into five titles: ADA TITLE 1:: Employment (any
organization with 15 of more employees falls under this rule to provide for
staff who need reasonable accommodation. ADA TITLE II addresses all state
and local government activities; TITLE III is the section that most often
affects musuems, as it covers all public accommodations. TITLE IV addresses
telecommunications (phone and TV access for people with hearing and speech
disabilities, in addition to req uirements for closed captionaing of
federally funded public service announcements. TITLE V covers miscellaneous
provisions.
You can download a checklist to superficially assess your accessibility at
http://www.adaptenv.org/publications/checklist-pdf.pdf.
Other resources: Architectertural and Transportaion Barriers Compliance
Board (800) USA-ABLE.
US Dept of Justice ADA Information line at (800) 514-0301.
You also need to review at least two other documents when you are making
things accessible (and this holds true for ALL visitors, since someone in a
wheelchair is about the same height as some children in elementary
school) ---
FOR ADULTS; Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines
(ADAAG) for Buidings and Facilities -- is a document filled with drawings,
heights, depths and widths for clearances of everything you might want to
know.
FOR CHILDREN: the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board has issued the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility
Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities: Building elements designed for
children's use -- This was printed in the Federal Register on Tuesday,
January 13, 1998. I believe it is also on the Dept of Justice website.
(there is also something just out on the accessibility guidelines for
children's play areas --so check that out as well)
STATE LAWS: you should also check with your local and state agencies --
since each state has different laws addressing accessibility. And it is your
responsibility to know that laws, since you must follow the MOST stringent
of the laws (if you have a choice between local, state and federal).
Another excellent resource is a subscription from the Thompson Publishing
Group in Washington DC. They publish and ADA compliance guide and send
ongoing updates and newsletters filled with information. I believe their
customer service number is (800) 677-3789.
I know that sometimes all of these requirements seem like a hassle, but
remember that it is better and cheaper to do it right the first time than
have to rip something out and spend a fortune retro-fitting something after
the fact.
I am off to teach in Torun, Poland for three weeks. If anyone has questions
about this, please contact me AFTER November 20th at [log in to unmask]
Kind regards,
Terrie
Terrie Nolinske, Ph.D.
www.tniconsultants.com
[log in to unmask]
TNI Consultants in Professional Development
930 North Boulevard
Oak Park, Illinois 60301
708. 386. 1331
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Betsy Martinson
Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 8:32 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: UV Plex
Mandy,
I can't help you with the UV Plex, but when it comes to setting the heights
for exhibits you can try this: sit in a chair next to your exhibit and see
how well you are able to view the objects and labels. Imagine this is the
perspective of someone in a wheelchair. Then move to your knees ... imagine
this is the viewpoint of a child. If you have difficulty seeing everything
you want to see, so will that visitor audience. I realize that it's
difficult to make every exhibit perfect for every visitor, but this will
help
you relate to the experience of the height-challenged visitor.
Betsy Martinson
Education and Events Coordinator
Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave
987 1/2 Lookout Mountain Rd.
Golden, CO 80401
303-526-0744
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