[Stylist] Deep Space 9 Project

Sat Jul 19 23:32:21 UTC 2025

Any of you familiar with Star Trek may know they're celebrating their 60th
anniversary next year. To make a small contribution in my area, I'm working
on a project around Deep Space 9 with 2 major components. One involves a
model of Deep Space 9 along with stories on museum access. The model is
meant to show what could be.

The other component involves 5 meditations on resilience, focus, self
acceptance, letting go and grounding. I got this idea from understanding
that at out National conference, stress levels can be high, especially for
new attendees.

The physical model is still being assembled. Once the model is ready, I'll
be able to add it to the script.

The tone is meant to be welcoming and engaging.

I hope to enlist the services of 2 voice talents, one male and one female,
to narrate the script.

Please look at this script and offer your feedback on

Is the tone engaging and welcoming?

Does the narrative flow?

Does the narrative engage emotionally?

Is it clear?

Female Host 1:

Welcome. Before we begin, a quick word about Deep Space 9 - a space station
orbiting the planet Bajor, home to a diverse community where many cultures
meet and stories intertwine.

Tonight, imagine this station watching over a nearby Bajoran village
celebrating a five-night harvest festival. But there's danger - not from
weapons, but a mysterious creature called the Dalroc. The only one who can
stop it is the leading storyteller - but the storyteller has died. Myles
o'Bryan, from Deep Space 9, is nearby and asked to step in, but he can't
carry the messages the village needs. The people know it, and he knows it.

Then, a new storyteller arrives. As he begins to tell the tale, the
community rallies around him, and together, they drive off the threat. The
community is safe.

Odo:

Storytelling used to puzzle me. Now I see its power - bringing people
together to protect what matters.

Female Host 1:

Many museums are still not fully accessible to the blindness community.
We've received two stories that illustrate this - and we want to imagine
what could be different.

Back in 2004, Kendra visited the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in
McMinnville, Oregon, with her aunt. All aircraft, including the famous
Spruce Goose, were roped off.

(Optional: pause for facilitator to describe tactile model of Spruce Goose
here)

The Spruce Goose, officially called the Hughes H-4 Hercules, is a massive
wooden plane built during World War II, known for its enormous wingspan -
larger than any other plane of its time. Although it flew only once, it
remains a marvel of engineering and aviation history.

Kendra's only way to learn about the aircraft was to have her aunt read the
labels aloud. There were no Braille or audio guides offered, and the
technology to help wasn't widely available yet. The staff treated them
respectfully but didn't offer assistance.

Odo:

Without technology then, they still needed a live guide. It's puzzling why
none stepped in.

Imagine if Michael Dorn - Star Trek actor and real-life pilot - had been
there. His deep, commanding voice guides the family, sharing not just facts
but personal stories about the aircraft he loves. His calm presence draws
attention. The family leaves grateful.

Female Host 1:

But these challenges remain. Holly recently visited the Jocelyn Museum in
Omaha, Nebraska. Though recently renovated, accessibility for the blind
community was still neglected.

No audio guide was offered, and the museum's app provided descriptions for
some, but not all exhibits. Staff repeatedly reminded Holly and her family
not to touch, hovering and making them uncomfortable.

A volunteer kindly showed some small artifacts - fabric and bells - but it
wasn't enough. Holly's mother read aloud every label and ended with a sore
throat.

The family gave up and left.

Odo:

This worries me. Technology exists to make accessibility easier - yet gaps
remain.

Imagine a team, including Star Trek actors, members of the National
Federation of the Blind, and advocates, stepping in. Mark Allimo - known for
playing Gul Dukat - quietly offers help, asking staff to give the family
space.

Odo:

Our world loves drama - the loud, thunderous calls for action. I can almost
hear Worf booming, 'Why is nothing being done?' It's tempting to shout, to
stir anger, to chase sensational stories.

But sometimes, quiet compassion matters more - like Mark's gentle presence,
offering help without fanfare.

Mark presents the family with a box of 3D artworks with Braille labels and
QR codes, part of a project bringing art to life for the blind community.
Michael Dorn walks with the family, urging staff to back off, letting them
breathe.

Female Host 1:

At home, Holly connects a Bluetooth speaker to her smartphone and scans a
model of Vincent van Gogh's Portrait of Dr. Gachet.

(Optional: facilitator can show tactile model of the painting here)

Robert Picardo's warm voice invites her to explore the painting through
touch and sound.

Odo:

Change takes time. We live in a world rushing to fix things fast, craving
spectacle. But accessibility isn't a race - it's a journey built with
patience, respect, and care.

Female Host 1:

The National Federation of the Blind has spoken for itself for 85 years.
Blindness is a part of us - but it doesn't define us. We seek access,
inclusion, and respect - to museums, stories, and life.

On Deep Space 9, communication is simple - "Kira to Sisko"... "Go ahead."
What once seemed science fiction is now real, thanks to technology like
AIRA.

[Live demo segment begins]

Female Host 1:

Let's go live with a demonstration of AIRA, a remote service that helps
visually impaired people access their surroundings in real time.

(Live host introduces a stuffed or real dog and places the call, interacting
naturally.)

Female Host 1:

Before you is a tactile model of the Deep Space 9 space station. Please feel
free to come up and explore it.

(Allow open exploration time)

-----

Female Host 1:

Imagination and reality blend to create art. Deep Space 9 was built from the
creativity of writers and artists, programmers and builders. Just like
accessibility, it's a collaboration.

As Odo learned in the episode Equilibrium, Captain Sisko often refers to
real-world places - like New Orleans, where the National Federation of the
Blind recently held its annual conference.

Final reflection - Odo:

Our world loves the dramatic - the loud calls to action and the race to fix
problems instantly. But real progress is built on patience, respect, and
steady

work. Between the flash and the quiet, between thunder and calm - meaningful
change grows.

Thank you for joining us. Let's keep imagining, keep exploring, and keep
reaching for the stars.

The other component is the 5 meditations. Here, I also hope to enlist one
male and one female talent to narrate. I haven't begun these because I want
to find out if there is a need for something like this. Is there a need for
targeted meditations inspired by the Deep Space 9 characters that can be
used at National and State conventions, or even local chapter meetings?
These meditations are meant to be short, between 5 and 10 minutes. Is there
a need?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Best,

Tina Hansen

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