Two New Tools Helping Museum Guests who have Vision Impairment
By: Tim Studebaker
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WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE) – Visiting a museum, like the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket, can be an incredible experience full of interesting sights, along with plenty of reading. But, what if you struggle with loss of eyesight?
The museum’s Assistant Director, Sarah Carr, says, “It’s a part of our mission to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have access to their history.”
Two new programs at the museum are helping people with vision impairment learn about the Blackstone Valley and the people that lived and worked there. The first is a map of the area with points of interest printed in 3D, allowing guests to feel the outside of each building. It was developed by 8th graders.
Carr says, “There were two students who were really enthusiastic about being able to, both do the historic research, how to design and print those buildings, and use their tech to be able to actually print them and create them.”
The other is an app called “Aira,” which connects users to a service that helps them experience the museum.
Carr says, “They’re able to access the camera on your phone and describe to you the space that you’re in, read panels to you, describe objects.”
The “Aira” service is free for museum guests, and will also be available at other Rhode Island Historical Society sites. They also have, or are planning, programs for people with other needs, like those on the autism spectrum, and people with memory loss and dementia.
© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2019
