Dené Mosier, MSExecutive DirectorKansas Children’s Discovery [email protected]
Nyssa BuningSpark!Lab National Network CoordinatorLemelson Center for the Study of Invention and InnovationNational Museum of American [email protected]
Jarrett GrimmMakery Manager and STEM Lead EducatorKidzu Children’s [email protected]
Innovative Accessibility
Dené Mosier, MSExecutive [email protected]
Who aren’t we serving?
• Sensory Friendly Programming (Puzzle Pieces)
• Museums for All• Low-cost memberships• Library passes that can be checked out
for free admission• ADA accessible • Bus stop• Outreach programming at community
centers, summer lunch program,• Free nights
https://kansasdiscovery.org/events-at-kcdc/medical-warriors/
And it continues to grow:
Medical Warrior Birthday Parties
Inpatient services in partnership with a
local hospital
● Supplies● Staff time ● Coordination ● Partnerships ● Referral process ● Funding● Adult illness● Group visits
What does it take to make the program
happen?
Technology EngagementStrategies for the Visually Impaired
Jarrett GrimmMakery Manager &
STEM Lead Educator
At Kidzu: Adaptive Play• Adaptive Playdates once per month
through a partnership with the Town of Chapel Hill
• Session later today: • Play is Universal: Establishing a
Community Museum for Everyone, Wednesday, May 16th 1:15-2:30 PM
Partnerships
Diane Brauner, Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Dr. Diane Pozefsky, UNC Department of Computer Science
Dr. Sarah McManus, Governor Morehead School for the Blind
Design Tips for VI Accessibility
• High contrast text and images, large size if possible• Few have no vision; allows those with low vision to engage• Some prefer large print to audio
• Provide tactile experiences• Can be DIY, e.g. puffy paint
• Enable VoiceOver use on iPads
Thank you!
Jarrett Grimm
STEM Lead Educator & Makery ManagerKidzu Children’s Museum
Thesis Project Website
In Spark!Lab, we believe everyone is inventive. Every day we provide opportunities for children and families to explore their inventive creativity—to create, innovate, collaborate, and problem-solve—because these experiences empower kids to develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed today and in the future.
Inclusion as a Value
● Incorporating Universal Design
● Highlighting inventors of all abilities
● Including assistive devices on invention wall and in invention challenges
Resource Overview and Evaluation
Workshopping/Volunteer Foundation TrainingOur Sensory Friendly ResourcesAdditional Volunteer TrainingEvaluation
Workshopping and Foundation Training● Topics covered (MANDATORY, online and in person):
● Our museum’s accessibility services● What makes a visit to our exhibit meaningful for any visitor● Different learning styles (auditory, kinesthetic/physical, and verbal)
and facilitation tips for each learning style● Why Universal Design is important● Best practices for language and etiquette● Specific ways to assist visitors with different abilities and advance
the Spark!Lab key message that “Everyone is Inventive”
General and Sensory Tips
● Hours and Location● Entering the Museum● What you can do● Visual Stimuli● Auditory Stimuli● Tactile Stimuli● Movement
Opportunities● Temperature
Additional Volunteer Training
Optional (In-Person): ● Verbal Description
Mandatory (Online and In-Person): ● Sensory friendly resources that would
be available to visitors in Spark!Lab. ● Tested resources with user experts at
our Morning at the Museum program.
A user expert and Accessibility Office staff help the Spark!Lab team learn more about how to help visitors who are blind or visually impaired through verbal description.
Evaluation
Trying to determine:1. Who is using the sensory friendly
resources2. Are the resources succeeding in
making Spark!Lab more accessible and inclusive?
3. Are visitors with disabilities and different learning styles able to participate in the Spark!Lab experience
Next Steps
● Ongoing evaluation● Spreading the word● New resources
● Raised maps ● Image based labels
● Continued training
Tips Based on Our Experience
● Think about what your visitors want/need from your space
● What can be evergreen / universal?● Get buy-in from volunteers and staff
● Some mandatory elements● Some optional elements● Easy elevator speech
● Using resources you already have (in our case our Accessibility Office)
● Exploring low cost options ● Get feedback from experts and do evaluation with
user groups early