THE MUSEUM EXPERIENCE: VISUAL IMPAIRMENT &

3D PRINTING

An exploration of how 3D printing can improve the museum experiences

of people with visual impairments.
1
 OVERVIEW

• UK laws
• Museums today
• Shortcomings
• Improving the museum experience with 3D printing
• Conclusion

2
 UK LAW PROGRESS

• 1995: Disability Discrimination Act

• 2001: Special Educational Needs & Disability Act extends to
education providers
• 2004: legal requirement to make buildings accessible
• 2005: extension of Disability Discrimination Act— introduces
duty for public bodies to promote disable people’s equality &
‘involve’ them in design of services and policies
• 2010: Equality Act passes- outlaws discrimination &
harassment in employment, education, provision of goods and
services
• Outlaws discrimination against persons with disabilities,
association with a disabled person or the perception of
disability
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 MUSEUMS
TODAY
•Physically accessible
•Audio guides
•Large print guides
•Captioning on
audiovisuals
•Braille signs
•Induction loops at
reception areas
•Portable folding
chairs/seating
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 SHORTCOMINGS

• Need to go farther than physical accessibility— lack of

staff training

• 7 out of 600 Scottish heritage organizations provide

programs/events for people with disabilities

• No publicity concerning what the museum offers people

with disabilities

• Aids and programs usually produced by people with high

vision—assumptions
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• “Nothing about us without us.”— focus groups, feedback,
IMPROVING THE MUSEUM
EXPERIENCE

6
 IMPROVING

• Not just education staff— curators & management

• Need to include people with disabilities in all stages of

planning

• Engaging more senses than just sight in exhibitions

• Make multi-sensory experience apart of daily practice

• Publicly advertise accommodations for people with VI

• Using new technology available—3D printing

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 DESIGNING EXHIBITS

• Physically accessible displays— cane

detection rails

• Braille labels

• Descriptive audio guides

• Large & readable text; font type

• Contrasting colors: floor, walls,

podiums, restrictive tape

mithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design

8
hsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design9
 INTERPRETERS

Science Museum, London 10 Tactile Sign Language

3D PRINTING

11
TACTILE MAPS & BOOKS

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 TOUCH TOURS

ccessible Art” Student Exhibition; Michigan State University

13
 TOUCHABLE OBJECTS

National Museum of Scotland 14

White House Visitor Center 15
OBJECT HANDLING/LOAN KITS

16
 TACTILE PAINTINGS

“Please Touch the Art” MoMA 17

“Touching the Prado” Spain 18
Unseen Art: 3D printed tactile Mona Lisa 19
QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION

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