[Greater-baltimore] an invite for accessibility study at the Smithsonian

[Watson, Bob]

I was asked to share this with anyone who may be interested. - BW

 

 

The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History (NMNH)
and the Accessibility Program would like to invite you to participate in
an accessibility study of the museum, in particular the Forensic
Anthropology Lab.  This research project will study individuals', with
and without disabilities, perceptions and experience with the "Written
in Bone" exhibition's Forensic Anthropology Lab.  This interactive lab
provides visitors with an opportunity to have hands on experience with
real human bones.  Visitors will use the bones to identify and describe
the gender and status of people from the past and draw conclusions about
their lives.  The focus of the Lab is to help visitors to use the tools
and problem solving skills of forensic anthropology to collect and
analyze data the way that forensic anthropologists do.

 

After your visit to the lab, we will be conducting interviews and
administering questionnaires to visitors about their experience.  These
interviews and questionnaires will be confidential; we will not be using
your name or any identifier information on any survey materials.  By
gathering visitors' impressions we can analyze what the museum is doing
well or how programs can be improved to meet the needs of an audience
with diverse abilities.  

 

The time commitment would be minimal.   Most people spend about 20
minutes in the Forensic Anthropology Lab.  After you do the activities,
you will be asked to spend about 5-10 minutes responding to a
questionnaire.  Some participants may be asked for follow-up details or
clarification about their experience.  We also invite you to spend time
visiting the museum.  

 

Access services will be provided for participants.  ASL Interpreters
will be available to assist with the interview process and your lab
experience.  Additionally, we will provide sighted guides and assistive
listening systems.  Please see the schedule of access services below for
planning your visit.   

 

*         We will be conducting the study during the lab's hours of
operation between Monday, July 19, 2010 through July 31, 2010

*         The lab is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from
11:00 am - 5:00 pm; and on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

o        Please note: The lab will open at 11:30 on Thursday July 22

o        The lab will be closed on Friday, July 23  

*         ASL Interpreters will be available on Friday, July 30 and
Saturday, July 31, from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

*         Sighted Guides will be available on Friday, July 30 and
Saturday, July 31, from 1:00 

pm - 3:00 pm

 

 

If you have any questions regarding the study or participation, please
contact the Accessibility Program at access at si.edu or contact Krista
Flores at 202-633-4340 (voice).  

 

We hope that you will consider participating in this important study and
contribute to the development of activities that are accessible to all
Smithsonian visitors. 

 

 

Krista Flores

Program Specialist

Smithsonian Institution 

Accessibility Program

(202) 633-4340 Voice

(202) 633-4353 TTY

(202) 633-4352 Fax

 

Mailing address:

PO Box 37012

NMAH, Room 1050, MRC 607

Washington, DC 20013-7012