Category: Let's talk
So, I have a project which is being done in my city that I could use some advice on from all levels of blindness.
I live in an extremely historic city. It is the oldest continually inhabited city in the country. That being said, it has a lot of statues. There is a organization here in town that is trying to create braille signs and an audio tour to go alon with it that would describe the statue in a way which is accessible for the blind. They've tasked me with writing up the descriptions.
So here's my question. As a blind person who is visiting a statue, would you want a long description of the looks of the statue? that is to say, would you want to know the color of the bronze, and the exact pose of the statue, and the impression the statue gives off, and the height of the statue, and what its made of, and if it has its right arm lifted or its left arm lifted and so on? On the other hand, would you rather have a short description of it in general terms that allow you to picture it, but which don't give exact details? For example, a man in a three piece suit with his hand in his pocket. Is that enough for you to go on, or would you want more? How much more would you want?
Any opinions and thoughts are welcome. Let me know what you all think.
I'd just want the information that is on the plaque and a short description, but nothing long.
X on a hourse. Lady with hands above her head. Like that.
Wow really great question.
At one time I would have said the short description was fine, because you get so much out of what I call accidental descriptions, people's comments who are standing around looking at it. But where a long description would help is for parents with kids, or maybe blind people who are teachers or educators or social service people. I always tried to describe things to my daughter growing up, or draw her attention to things. So the more detail I would have in a given situation, the better I could be at helping the child with the experience, to help them make the most of it, if that makes sense. Not that this is my concern so much anymore now. *smile*
I would suppose each has their place, but I think the short description would do and I could use my imagination for the rest.
Oh, I suppose I should mention. The description of the plaqueswill be there in any case. Its just a decision on how long it should be for the description of the statue itself. Thanks for your thoughts, I hope more comment so I can get a good result.
If there is a print plaque saying what the statue is made of then that information should also be provided in the audio format. However, they would want to be careful not to give so much information that it became boring. So I would say put whatever info is available in print plus a bit extra to help the blind person picture it. And by the way, that's great that you live in a city where they are trying to make art accessible to the blind. In the city where I live, the art museum is allowing free admission to the blind one Sunday per month and providing guided tours where some of the objects can be touched and a good audio description is provided for everything else.
leo said it best. give what's already there in print, but adding as much detail as possible would be great for parents, educators, ETC.
If I came to the city for the purpose of touring it, I'd want as much info as I could get, so I'd love to know the subtle bits of the description that someone could see with the eye, but that we would miss. It would be more like I actually saw it. I do understand that too much information could be overwhelming, and stating the obvious would only add needless ramble to the description. By this, I mean, Here's the statue of Abraham Lincoln. The statue is of a man... Wel, uh, duh. It would be nice to know things like his pose or expression, though.
I agree with Anthony. Another thing to take in to consideration would be to make sure the braille is put on in a way that can withstand weather. You probably don't have to worry as much about the cold down there, but I'm assuming it might rain there quite offten in the summer.
Yes, and we have hurricanes and a lot of heat, so we're trying to find materials that don't heat up a lot in the sun so that you burn your fingertips while reading the braille. That and a lot of other little details like that.
As for the parents and educators, I can understand where that point is coming from, and I agree with it. My only problem is will people actually listen through a long winded description of what the statue looks like? Would it be more effective to only give a small description of the statue, and then gve a more detailed description of its history and why its there? Its a complicated idea.
Is there a way to have the best of both worlds? Have a small summary of the details, but then have another optional long-winded description for those who wish to access it? Of course, not every person will want the same details, and the details that seem petty to some might be real focal points for others. I honestly have no clue what would be a really great compromise.
I was in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, not too long ago, and in one of their historic museums they have a plaque with the information on the fur trade station or whatever, with a brief description. Then on the table with the plaque, there is a button you can press for a more detailed description along with sound effects. It was not geared for visually impaired people, but I liked the idea.
Maybe something like that? Then the people can decide if they want more info?
Kate
i would prefer the shorter description.
I like what posts 11 and 12 suggested, if it's at all possible.
I tend to prefer that more info than I need be available, especially if it's a touristy kind of thing. I can't remember which post mentioned descriptions of expressions but that's a great point as well.
Good luck figuring out the materials. I wouldn't have even thought of burning my fingers while trying to read so good for yall for thinking of it.
What an interesting project.
I agree with post 12.
Well, I think they want to avoid using electronics, since these will all be outside and electronics outside don't tend to last very long. However, since this will be done by cell phone, perhaps we could have a choice for a long description or a shortdescription.
Also, they are trying to do small engravings of the statues. I think this is a waste of money because they want the engravings only to be about four inches tall, and you aren't going to be able to get a lot of detail from that. I suggested they make miniature statues available for anyone who wants to touch the statues. What do you all think of that?
This project is fascinating, but its causing a lot of bickering over what should and shouldn't be done. One lady is trying to do only descriptions and no history, she wants to treat them like they're art pieces, rather than monuments. I, as a historian, vehemently disagree with this.
I absolutely love the idea of miniature statues. I agree that 4 inches isn't going to be enough room. Sounds to me like she doesn't have a clear concept of the size of braille.
I'm with you; they're more history than art.
Good luck.
What exactly do you mean by it will be done by cell phone?
For braille readers maybe a booklet could be printed up? That way the booklets could be returned after the person had looked at things.
I understand what you are all saying about the statue size, but it seems like the design of the statue itself was not meant to suit Braille itself. Unless the statue will be redesigned, I don't see a point in reconsidering the size of the statue. Work with what you have without trying to spend too much on it first.
What I meant by the cell phone thing is that there's going to be a phone number at the bottom of the sign. Calling his number will give you an audio recording of the information about the statue.
so why not have it so it says like press one for a short description and two for a detailed description?
That's what I ws thinking, but I don't know how much that would cost to pull off. We're working from a grant here, so money isn't something we have in excess
Now that cell phone thing sound slick. Most people carry them, so that work great.
Just a bit of info on the plaque and a number if you wanted to learn more could work.
Sounds like a good compromise is suggested hee. I certainly have never thought of any of this stuff, since for the most part we get what we get when it comes to these things.
I suggested an IPhone app, but apparently that would be too expensive. They also said they wanted to make it accessible to everyone, and not everyone has a cell phone.
One of my biggest problems is that the people in charge have no experience with the blind, and are just going on what they assume we need. Unfortunately, that isn't usually correct.
well, then, why not continue trying to push for what you know would be beneficial, the iPhone app? if they have little to no experience with people who are blind, they need to be shown that you know what you're talking about.
Well, it is true that all blind persons don't have an iPhone or Android device, but I believe it is a safe bet that all blind persons have some sort of cell phone that are of age to carry them. If not the people traveling with them will.
At least one person in the group would have a phone I'd guess.
If they didn't, then someone in the group might be sighted, so that covers lots of situations.
If only it were that easy chelsea, but when you're an intern on a required assignment from a class your word just doesn't carry that much weight.
that doesn't make sense, but I'm not gonna say anything further.
Basically I have no power to make or influence decisions. I do what they say or I fail. I can make suggestions, but that's about it.
they want you to help with their project, yet, you apparently don't have much influence beyond that? that's what doesn't make sense to me. I mean, I've been in a similar situation where people wanted me to give my input on something major that'd be viewed by the public, and they genuinely wanted my help in every possible capacity, taking to heart what was said. guess everyone has different approaches.
longer description being a geek of aesthetics and history is there a way to either have a booklet or four choices on the phone? the plaque and a small description could be outside for one suggestion and you'd have to ask for the brailled booklet to get the longer history and the long description. or you'd have a number beside the plaque one and 2 could be short history and short descriptions. and 3 and 4 could be long history and long descriptions.
Chelsea, the rule of thumb seems to be people shit on, and haze, interns. Cody's facing off with what everyone faces off with during an internship.
Hmmm. This is an interesting project. I'd say definitely try and convince them about the cell phone feature. And try to go for the short discription and the alternative long one as well. But I have another idea. Why not build a special web site or a section of an already existing web site for these descriptions as well? number the statues and then build a web page corresponding with these numbers. The web page can contain the longer descriptions, and people can look at the site prior to the tour, after the tour, or even during it if they have a smart phone. That way, the choice would be theirs entirely, and the people working on this wouldn't have to worry about their efforts being destroyed by weather conditions. A web page is cheaper to build and maintain in most cases than an IPhone ap. Just an idea.
That is an idea also. I'll pitch that one. Thanks.
I was thinking that perhaps a bar code could lead to the description. I've seen this before in museums where I simply start oMoby on my iPhone, scan around the little plastic sign, and eventually it reads the code and presents the website to me. There, I read the description available there. I'm not sure how bar codes do in the outdoors.
but not everyone has an iphone or a barcode reader so what about us who do not? do you laugh in our face and call us old school? how about the blind seniors?
To be honest, no matter which option you choose someone will not be happy with it.