[Nfbv-announce] The Smithsonian Needs Your Help - Please Distribute

[Fredric Schroeder]

Information forwarded by Potomac Chapter member Joe Hobson:

----- Original Message -----
From: Flores, Krista [mailto:FloresK at si.edu]
Sent: Friday, July 16, 2010 3:33 PM
Subject: The Smithsonian Needs Your Help - Please Distribute



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