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Question for #blind and partially sighted folk on the fediverse:

If you go to a museum or gallery, do you prefer braille or do you instead use a text to speech app?

(Or both, or something else)

I've got a bit of money to refurbish a small UK museum space with better provisions for Deaf and Blind folk, so I'm keen to know what will be the most useful.

Please Note: This is a question specifically for blind and partially sighted Fedi users, rather than fully sighted folk.

#blind

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in reply to DarkSheep Arts

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Onj 🎶

My phone. I already have it with me. Maybe scan a QR, it opens up to an accessible web page with info on, whether that be audio files the user presses play on, or written text which then is spoken via the screen-reader. If you go the latter route, then anyone who does use Braille and happens to have a display with them, such as deafblind can use that.
@jakobrosin thoughts on this? I know you've done similar things.
@Jakob Rosin
in reply to Onj 🎶

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Onj 🎶

the benefit of the user already using a device they have with them is less outlay on your side, just the web hosting or whatever.
Also means they could in theory take the tour without being on-site at all, though that's bad for business, as there aren't paying customers there.
You could charge for the virtual tour as well, but that's a different discussion.
@jakobrosin
@Jakob Rosin
in reply to Onj 🎶

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Jakob Rosin

It also comes down to budget. Creating a QR code and an accessible website behind it is quite low cost. However, not everyone is confortable in using their smartphone in such settings, especially for example elderly people or people with less digital skills. In that case, an audio guide, in a form of a separate device handed out from the ticket desk, could be an easier solution. Its also possible to set up more interactive experiences with tactile representations and mockups of some exhibits. Using a solution like NaviLens could combine both, the description and also guidance around the exhibit area. NaviLens uses their own QR codes, which their app can detect from quite far (tens of meters if necessary). The app is aware of users location so it can tell you things like "exhibit hall exit is 25 meters at 2 oclock" or "Mona lisa is 10 metres ahead" and upon reaching said exhibit, it can proceed with a description for example. But we've also had QR codes at exhibits, which point to youtube videos with descriptions. @DarkSheepArts @jakobrosin@hear-me.social
@Jakob Rosin @DarkSheep Arts
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in reply to DarkSheep Arts

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miki

If you do end up going with Braille, keep in mind that English has two Braille grades. Most native speakers will use and prefer grade2, which introduces abbreviations for common English words, prefixes and suffixes, think "have", "would" or "ing". However, many foreign visitors, *even those who both know Braille and can speak English, may not actually know grade 2 English Braille*, and need grade 1, which has no such abbreviations.

In English-speaking countries, it's often assumed that what you want is grade2, but if the place has a lot of foreign visitors specifically, that may not always be the right choice.

in reply to DarkSheep Arts

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Scott

Linking to an accessible companion guide on a site might be a better shout than braille. That would be easier to produce, easier to update, definitely cheaper to maintain and most importantly, it places the choice of how to consume that with each person who wants to read it. EG, I'm totally blind here, learned braille so young that I can't even remember not knowing it, but there are boatloads of blind/VI folk who lose sight later in life and never get that opportunity. IMO audio is a really nice to have extra if you can get it done within budget, but deafblind folk get the soggy end of the stick so often, I reckon I'd try to offset that a bit by commissioning a good writer over a sound designer if I were in your shoes.

BTW I live in London and my partner bloody loves a museum/exhibit. Would be happy to come and poke around ideas in progress. Holler whenever you've got something if that might help.

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