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

Braille documents and audio format of publications

Alternative formats of standard print publications are one means of providing the effective communication required by federal accessibility laws. When asked about their format preferences, participants agreed both Braille and audio formats should be provided so a visitor has flexibility in use. For example, a Braille literate visitor may consider a Braille version to be easier and faster for obtaining information. It was clear from the discussion that people who are blind or have low vision tend to use exhibition brochures during their museum or park visit. Generally visitors without vision loss take exhibition brochures home as a souvenir rather than reading them during their visit. The difference in behavior may be attributable to easier access to exhibition text and the main exhibition messages for many visitors without vision loss.

Participants cautioned not all visitors with vision loss are Braille literate and alternative formats are necessary to meet the range of needs. The group felt strongly that visitors with vision loss ought to be able to keep publications offered to them just as visitors without vision loss are able to do. Museums and parks commonly require the return of Braille or audio publications as they deem them too expensive or available in such limited quantity that they do not feel they can be given away.

Furthermore, if Braille publications are being offered by a museum or park, the Braille should be of high quality. Quality is defined as meeting the national or international Braille standards. Participants reviewed Braille publications from various museums and parks. Documents produced in-house with Braille translation software and embossers often contained format errors. Documents prepared by contractors also had quality problems. Some of the group was more forgiving of the errors as it is a common issue. Others reiterated people who are blind or have low vision should receive publications with equivalent quality to the standard print version. Someone who is Braille literate should proofread Braille publications before distribution.

Providing pre- or post-visit materials in audio format is considered equivalent to offering the publications in Braille. The preferred format for audio content is DAISY (the Digital Accessible Information System) as it is highly navigable. A DAISY publication can be explained as a set of digital files that includes: 

• One or more digital audio files containing a human narration of part or all of the source text;
• A marked-up file containing some or all of the text . . . ;
• A synchronization file to relate markings in the text file with time points in the audio file; and
• A navigation control file which enables the user to move smoothly between files while synchronization between text and audio is maintained (DAISY Consortium 2010).

Assistive technologies developed for people who are blind or have low vision are DAISY compatible. DAISY files can be downloadable from a website or available on a memory card or USB device. The group discussed the viability of distributing MP3 players in museums or parks to visitors who are blind or have low vision but in 2008 when the study took place there were no accessible MP3 players on the market.