[Ohio-Talk] Cleveland Metroparks Zoo wants feedback from the VI/Blind community

Wed Dec 13 21:48:52 UTC 2023

Begin forwarded message

On Dec 13, 2023, at 12:13 PM, Tom Sawyer <tsawyer at clevelandsightcenter.org <mailto:tsawyer at clevelandsightcenter.org> > wrote:

Greetings!

Please reply to this email tsawyer at clevelandsightcenter.org <mailto:tsawyer at clevelandsightcenter.org>  or call Tom Sawyer at 216.658.7339 before January 15, 2024 if you’re interested in taking part in this wonderful opportunity to have your voice heard and please let us know if you’re a Braille reader too. If you are interested in future opportunities (some may provide gift cards) to provide feedback to other organizations, please complete the Personal Profile in the attachment and email it to me. Feel free to share this information with others in the VI/Blind community. Thank you!

"Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and their Education team have recently implemented a new braille initiative in their Rain Forest building. They are hoping to gather members of the VI/Blind community to give them their feedback and help their team further develop new methods of inclusivity that enhance their education interpretation for future zoo projects."

In-person onsite focus group meetings:

Feb 28, 2024 - Any age 20+, specifically Braille readers of the VI/Blind community, 10-15 participants

March 27, 2024 - Any age 20+, any member of the VI/Blind community, 10-15 participants  

These events will be occurring at approximately 11:00am-1:30pm.

For all focus groups:

-We do encourage that participants utilize the same technology they would if they were to visit the zoo on any other given day, so be prepared and welcome to utilize any text-to-voice apps if needed. 

-Focus group sessions will be conducted in-person, indoors, and will be a voice-recorded question/answer session to retain anonymity of participants. Names will not be recorded. Some open ended and some direct individual questions will be asked. Subsequently, it will be important for the participants to be able to verbally participate. However, if someone needs an interpreter, has a personal aide/guide to assist them and speak on their behalf, or would like to write down their responses, that is also fine. 

-This is an unpaid program, but guests will be supplemented for their time with free refreshments and all-day admission to the zoo. 

-This focus group will include a guided tour that is the majority of the experience. Guests would be recommended to have mobility to maneuver small spaces/crowds. Wheelchairs are accessible in the Rain Forest. 

-Participants should be prepared to provide their own method of transportation. There is a para-transit stop that drops off at the Rain Forest. Handicap parking is also near the Rain Forest and Guest Resource Center.

-Service animals are permitted in all areas of the Rain Forest, but not everywhere inside the park. Service animal specific maps will be provided regarding some places they cannot go to within the park after their tour and focus group sessions have finished. 

*********** CLEVELAND SIGHT CENTER CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE ***********
This email may contain confidential and privileged material for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, use, distribution or disclosure by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient (or authorized to receive for the recipient), please contact the sender by reply email and delete all copies of this message. 

<Personal Profile form for clients interested in self advocacy initiatives.docx>

*********** CLEVELAND SIGHT CENTER CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE ***********
This email may contain confidential and privileged material for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, use, distribution or disclosure by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient (or authorized to receive for the recipient), please contact the sender by reply email and delete all copies of this message. 

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