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Learning for Everyone

Creating Making Models using universal design

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Making Models

A “Science is an Activity” exhibition

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Educational goalsProvide visitors with practice in four science

thinking skills associated with models:

Recognizing Assessing Using Creating

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Making Models target audiences:

Families Adults School groups Persons with disabilities

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What is universal design?-The design of products and environments to be

usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.

(As defined by the Center for Universal Design)

Each Making Models component has an audio label and written text to deliver information to the visitor.

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What we’ve learned about universal design in museums

– Early implementation demonstrated that considering the needs of visitors with disabilities when designing an exhibition created a better experience for everyone.

– This was best exemplified in an evaluation of the remodeled and multi-sensory New England Lifezones exhibition.

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How do we create an exhibition using universal design?

– Utilize ADA guidelines and standards as a starting point

– Brainstorm ideas for multi-sensory learning experiences

– Pay attention to both access to the experience and access to learning

– Involve people with disabilities as consultants, advisors, and visitors in formative and summative evaluation

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Universal design in Making Models

Every element received an audio label on the lower left corner

–Audio was written with the text so the two supported and reinforced each other

–Audio took into consideration limitations in working memory

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Ducks component:

–Text, pictures and audio all support the main idea

–Featured models are mostly tactile and familiar

–Content matches visitors’ everyday experiences

Universal design in Making Models

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Lightscape and Soundscape provide multi-sensory options for creating models, one with light, the other with sound.

Universal design in Making Models

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Can you make a model of

encourages visitors to create tactile models all visitors can touch.

Universal design in Making Models

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Remodeled Great Pyramids of Giza diorama features a tactile model and audio description which improves the experience for all visitors.

Universal design in Making Models

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Me vs. Us and the other computer kiosks use tactile buttons as the user interface. Each also offers an audio on/ off option.

Universal design in Making Models

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Mystery Scenes encourage visitors to explore a tactile mystery as they create a mental model of a hidden scene.

Universal design in Making Models

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Universal design takes time: the evolution of an accessible design…

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Making “Hearts” a reality...

Challenge- How do you create a reveal mechanism that is easy for everyone to use?

First design was not accessible for children or

wheelchair users.

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Making “Hearts” a reality...

Challenge- How do you create a reveal mechanism that is easy for everyone to use?

Second design was better, but not great...

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Making “Hearts” a reality...

Challenge- How do you create a reveal mechanism that is easy for everyone to use?

Other designs came closer, but still did not meet

all users needs.

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Making “Hearts” a reality

Challenge- How do you create a reveal mechanism that is easy for everyone to use?

Final rotating platform/push button design was developed collaboratively by two designers and an access consultant.

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Why universal design matters

“One of the most pervasive messages of my childhood was “Not for you.” That’s something that’s incredibly destructive for the life of a child. Places like science museums can dispel those messages more than almost any place else. I remember my few visits to museums as just wonderful. I believe everybody should have that experience. And I do mean everybody.”

-Betty Davidson, Exhibit Planner, Museum of Science

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Resources that helped us:– AAM’s “Everyone’s Welcome” (available in the

library)– Museum of Science Access web site,

http://www.mos..org/exhibitdevelopment/access – Association of Science and Technology Center’s

Accessible Practices http://www.astc.org/resource/access/

– “Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age: Universal Design for Learning” by David Rose and Anne Meyer. http://www.cast.org

– National Center for Accessible Media. http://ncam.wgbh.org

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For more information...

Christine Reich

creich@mos.org, 617 589-0302