[nfbmi-talk] Fw: Broad Museum can do more for blind, patron says

[Jim in Detroit]

I remember going to the DIA and experiencing the Ottobon exhibition a few 
years ago and they had an audiocassette of the exhibition; you turned on the 
tape when you came to a painting.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Mark Eagle
Sent: December 29, 2012 19:33
To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Fw: Broad Museum can do more for blind, patron says





Mark Mayes:
Lansing State Journal

Broad Museum can do more for blind, patron says

On Suellen Hozman's first visit to the new Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum
earlier this month, the attraction's visual wonders were overshadowed by how
little it offered for those without vision. Hozman, of Lansing, checked out
Michigan State University's $40 million art showplace with her granddaughter
and a friend, Donna Rose, who is blind. The trio's anticipation quickly
turned to disappointment when staff members at the front desk could offer
few options to help Rose enjoy the displays. No touchable exhibits. No
braille brochures. No special tours. The museum's only feel-free-to-feel
artwork was outside the building: A metal tree. That really was the only
thing that Donna was able to experience," Hozman said. A member of the
Capitol City Council for the Blind and an artist, Hozman couldn't let pass
what she saw as an unacceptable slight. MSU and Lansing have too many
visually impaired students and residents who should be included in such a
vital display of artistic creativity, she said. Suggestions offeredHozman
came up with some suggestions - steps the museum could take at little or no
cost to make the museum more inviting to blind and visually impaired
patrons. On her list: A printed braille tour of the building. A special
audio tour that would allow a person who is blind to enjoy the museum
independently. A touchable model of the museum, since the building's
distinctive look is such a large part of its story. Docents who would be
available by schedule or appointment to provide tours for the blind. But
it's clear Hozman's true preference is for the museum to add some touchable
exhibits. People who are blind experience the world through their hands,"
she said. They touch everything. Hozman, who vows not to return to Broad
without changes, tried to share her ideas with the museum's curator, Alison
Gass, and facilities manager, Stephanie Kribs, but did not receive return
calls. I forwarded Hozman's suggestions to museum director Michael Rush, who
promised to address them with staff. Attention neededLaws ensure designers
make public facilities physically accessible to those with disabilities, but
not enough attention is given to finding ways for those same individuals to
engage in exhibits, Rush said. The American Alliance of Museums has no
policy to provide guidance, he said. I have great sympathy for the visually
impaired in our museum culture because so often the arts are a visual
medium, and we have not really done enough to meet the needs of the visually
impaired," Rush said. Rush said he would give attention to improvements,
including looking into offering a guided tour for the visually impaired by
appointment. The museum offers an audio tour designed for the general
public, he said.

Call Mark Mayes at 377-1175 or email mmayes at lsj.com.

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Jim in Detroit
James A. Prather
Central Michigan University: 1980
Michigan School for the Blind: 1974
"Fire Up Chips"
"Ungh, ungowa, Raiders still Got the Power!"