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

Study Method

Eight participants with varying degrees of vision loss met at the National Air and Space Museum to individually review three exhibition components and then two additional exhibition components at the National Building Museum. Interviewers recorded the participant’s comments as they examined the exhibits.

After the field visits, the participants convened to review a number of museum and park publications. The group discussion was guided by one of the interviewers. Observers from the Smithsonian, National Park Service, National Center on Accessibility, and the National Building Museum joined the group. A transcriber recorded the proceedings.

The demographics of the study participants exemplify the diversity of experience necessary for a good discussion. Onset of vision loss varied from congenital to adventitious within the last ten years. The group was evenly divided by gender. Ages ranged from early twenties to mid-sixties. Most of the participants had completed their formal education, with a mix of high school to graduate level degrees. One participant is working on an undergraduate degree and one on a graduate degree. All participants visit museums and parks albeit reluctantly for some. Participants have a range of experience with Braille, from one person who is an international leader in Braille literacy to several others who are just learning it.

The study method yields results that cannot be generalized to the whole population of museum and park visitors who are blind or have low vision. Rather, the results are the in-depth reflections of the eight participants on their museum and park experiences. Analysis of the discussion provides museum and park staff with themes for further research on effective communication.