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

Audio description

Participants reviewed audio description activated by a push button at the introductory text and section panels of the “America by Air” exhibition. The text of the panel is narrated and exhibits in the surrounding area are described. Participant comments can be summarized as follows:

Activation button

The audio buttons are located in the center of the panels and under the text. Participants expressed concern over the difficulty of finding it. They suggested it should have a label, be larger, have better color contrast from the panel background so it is more visible, and be mounted higher although one person thought the height was appropriate for universal design purposes. Another person suggested creating a tactile design for the button to make it more identifiable when used consistently throughout the exhibitions.

Volume level

Most people thought the volume level was fine. The participants were in the exhibition before public hours so some noted the level might not work when the space was more crowded. Everyone thought the ability to control the volume would be beneficial.

Duration

Half of the participants thought the duration of the description track was fine while the other half thought it was too long. People commented the narration pace was slow and the style dramatic. They also said many people who have vision loss normally speed up audio tracks when they can control the way they receive audio information.

Content

Including both label text and description was appreciated. The content really interested most participants and sparked questions for some. They wanted to learn more about the material discussed in the text. It was noted that the descriptions lacked color information.

Directions

The descriptions gave directions to reach for tactile graphics on the panel. Participants had difficulty matching the directions to the location of the tactile element. Some suggested using the raised letter title as an anchor point as the title was easy to find.

Knowing audio description is present in the exhibition

Participants discussed how unlikely it is they would wander in an exhibition by themselves. It is likely they would wander within an exhibition with family and friends who don’t always notice or recognize accessibility features. A difference in floor texture could be used to cue visitors with vision loss where the panels with description buttons are located.

Overall

In general the participants thought audio description in exhibitions is a good idea and providing direction to tactile items is useful. They said they would enjoy going to museums where audio description is present in exhibitions.