Moca virtual tour ppt

Thinking about Disabilities in the Museum setting: MOCA Leah Master-HuthEDUC 8034/28/11

IntroductionMuseum exhibitions need to cater to a wide audience. What happens when they struggle to meet the demands of Universal Design?Visitors with Disabilities feel unwelcomeEducators feel uncomfortable bringing their students to the museumMuseums unintentionally exclude segments of the population

Principles of Universal Designhttp://www.ncsu.edu/www/ncsu/design/sod5/cud/about_ud/udprinciplestext.htmThe design is useful and interesting to people of differing abilitiesThe design accommodates a wide range of personal abilities and preferencesUse of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration levelThe design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilitiesThe design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actionsThe design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigueAppropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility

Disabilities to ConsiderAttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)Visual ImpairmentsMobility ImpairmentsHearing ImpairmentsDyslexia

Disabilities: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity DisorderPeople with AD/HD may:Be easily distracted, miss details, frequently switch from one activity to anotherHave difficulty focusing on one thingBecome bored with a task after a few minutesHave difficulty processing information quickly and accurately Dash around, touching and playing with everything in sightHave difficulty doing quiet tasksBe constantly in motion

Disabilities: Sensory Processing DisorderSymptoms of SPD might include:Over-sensitivity to stimulation such as sounds, lights, touch, taste, and odorsUsing an inappropriate amount of force when handling objects or writingDifficulty focusing or unable to shift attention to a new taskClumsinessCan become disoriented on stairs, elevators, or escalatorsDifficulty following directions, especially on sequencing of eventsImpulsive, always on the go

Disabilities: Visual ImpairmentIn those with low vision, vision may fluctuate or may be influenced by inappropriate lighting, light glare, or fatigue, so colored lights, small fonts, or many things to read on one wall might be challengingPeople with low vision are text readers, but they might require adaptations, special equipment or materialsPeople with visual impairments may have trouble with environmental obstacles, such as the hanging object cases in room one or the movie screens in small alcoves overlooking stairsInteractives should have clear signage or should appear obvious to visitors since those with low vision might have a better museum experience with the added tactile exploration offered by interactives

Disabilities: Mobility ImpairmentThe term mobility impairment refers to an expansive range of disabilities which vary in severity from stamina limitations to complete paralysis and include, but are not limited to, disorders of the skeletal, respiratory, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems (http://www.accesselearning.net/mod1/1_07.php)Mobility disorders include: cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, temporary orthopedic injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, spina bifida, et. al.People with mobility impairment sometimes require mobility aides or assistive technology

Disabilities: Hearing ImpairmentsHearing loss can be partial or complete. There are several types of hearing loss:Conductive hearing loss—sound levels seem lowerSensorineural hearing loss—interferes with clarity of sound, understanding speech, and interpretation of soundsMixed hearing loss—have both conductive and sensorineural hearing lossBackground noise can make it even more difficult for those with hearing impairments to hear what is being saidAbout 28 million Americans (almost 1 in 10) are hearing impaired or completely deaf

Disabilities: DyslexiaThis wall, and others like it in MOCA, are difficult for visitors with dyslexia to readAccording to LD.org, some people with dyslexia can have trouble with reading and spelling, while others struggle to write, or to tell left from right. Some children show few signs of difficulty with early reading and writing. But later on, they may have trouble with complex language skills, such as grammar, reading comprehension, and more in-depth writing.

Beyond Disabilities: Comfort and the Average VisitorSurveys of walk-in visitors showed that the average visitor asked for changes to the Core Exhibition that would help disabled visitors as well, including:Larger font sizeFewer objects on the wallMore quiet spacesClear signage on interactives

Some facts about MOCAMOCA used to be in an old public schoolon Mulberry Street. Its new building (opened in 2009) at 215 Centre Street was designed by architect Maya Lin.Founded as the New York Chinatown History Project in 1980, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) began as a community-based organization.MOCA describes itself as a dialogic museum, meaning that they want to have a dialogue with the audience.MOCA’s collection includes artifacts, personal histories, and personal objects from businesses and residents of Chinatown in Manhattan, but it also has objects from Chinese-Americans around the country.MOCA’s audience is diverse and includes people of all backgrounds and ages. They want everyone to relate to the Chinese experience in America.

Using a Virtual Tour of MOCAThe Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) is a great space with an engaging approach and a unique collection. However, it makes some mistakes that lead to potential discomfort or confusion for visitors with disabilities. This virtual tour is a way to highlight some of what MOCA does right and some of what they get wrong.

Maya Lin and MOCAMaya Lin describes her design of MOCA:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=976o62w45zg

What MOCA gets rightMOCA is a beautiful, welcoming space

What MOCA gets rightMOCA is a beautiful, welcoming spaceIt has an easy-to-use, wide entryway for people with mobility impairment

What MOCA gets rightMOCA is a beautiful, welcoming spaceIt has an easy, wide entryway for people with mobility impairmentThe museum brings in visitors of every background and age group

What MOCA gets rightMOCA is a beautiful, welcoming spaceIt has an easy, wide entryway for people with mobility impairmentThe museum brings in visitors of every background and age groupMOCA educates people about sensitive topics such as racism and immigration

What MOCA gets rightMOCA is a beautiful, welcoming spaceIt has an easy, wide entryway for people with mobility impairmentThe museum brings in visitors of every background and age groupMOCA educates people about sensitive topics like racism and immigrationMOCA’s interactives give visitors hands-on experiences

MOCA’s Core ExhibitionWith a Single Step: Stories in the Making of America“The exhibit is an exploration of the Chinese American experience—from the first steps of early Chinese immigrants on the American frontier, to the dramatic story of a people caught between the power and politics of two nations, to the continuing journey to understand what it means to be Chinese American, and ultimately, America’s own journey as a nation.”(MOCA’s informational brochure)

In the EntrywayAt My Eye level, about 5’3” up from the floor

In the EntrywayThe same screen, as seen from below (Children, shorter people, and visitors in wheelchairs get this view)At My Eye level, about 5’3” up from the floor

Room 1: ImmigrationPhotos in frames hanging from high aboveMovie Screen, Movie on repeat, Volume on highLight Boxes with biographies, brightly litStrings from floor to ceiling with Plexiglas boxes holding objects

Room 1: Immigration The wall has many objects and labels on itLabels scroll across the bottom of the wall, organized chronologically from right to left

Room 1: ImmigrationThe room is filled with objects from floor to ceiling. The lighting is from above, the side, and from the light boxes and screens. Lighting is green and whiteThe number of objects, the lighting and the loud movie might be difficult for visitors with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Movies in MOCAMovies are loud, set on repeat, and are constant background noiseMovie are projected on a window overlooking the central staircase

Movies in MOCAThe movies at MOCA include personal histories that help visitors make personal connections to the collection

Movies at MOCA might be distracting for those with AD/HD, Sensory Processing Disorder, or Visual Impairments

The location and orientation of the movies—with the stairs and downstairs activities visible below—might lead to anxiety for visitors with SPD

The movies are loud and clash with conversations and other audio interactives, which might be difficult for those with hearing impairment, SPD, or AD/HD

These movies are a single hue in a dark alcove, which might cause problems for those with visual impairmentsRoom 2: Entering the USAThis room talks about the difficulties Chinese immigrants faced when they tried to enter the United States. The room takes on an emotionally difficult topic with some great objects, but maybe there are too many objects??

Room 2: Entering the USAText scrolls from floor to ceiling. Red text is hard to read on the panelingThis video is directly across from another movieWow! Look at all these objects

Room 2: Entering the USAThis is an interesting interactive that makes you think about the arrival process at Angel Island (the West Coast’s Ellis Island). However, it is hard to follow since it is a low-pitched voice barking at you in a low volume in a room with another loud movie. This interactive only works if you can sit in the chair and stay there!

Room 2: Entering the USALow, green light a reflection from the movie across from the wallLetters start down at the floor and go up to the ceiling, more than 8 feet upFont size is very small on the lettersThese letters and pictures make the experiences of the new Chinese immigrants relatable and interesting

Room 3: The LaundryUnfortunately, the dim red lighting on the side of the room makes reading challengingThis table is at a good height for children and people in wheelchairsThe interactives in this room are great for every visitor. The heavy iron is a fantastic teaching tool.

Signs in MOCAInteresting stories and poems appear all over the museum on boards like these—with text superimposed on photographs. Distracting and hard to read for everyone! Very hard for those with AD/HD, SPD, autism, and visual impairments.

Room 4: Movies and Chinese Food The lighting in this room is red-hued and creates a glare that can be challenging to visitors This case is at a great height for children and those in wheelchairs

Room 4: Movies and Chinese Food Again, a sign that is hard to read because of background picturesThis radio plays low-pitched voices doing commercials. It is not very loud. Two other movies are going on in the room.Push this button to hear this radio

Room 5: Festivals3 chairs, the lion and some quiet music make this room a great place to rest and think about the Chinese-American experience

Room 5: FestivalsUse this handle to turn this scrollThis scroll is very close to the wall and might be hard for visitors in wheelchairs or with other mobility impairments to turnBlack font on red with a red case is very hard to read

Room 6: Post Office and StoreLots to see, hear, and touch. How do you know what NOT to touch?

Room 6: Post Office and StoreThis room is great for experiential learning, but it can be hard for children with impulse control problems to avoid the loose objects on shelves and in alcoves. There are few DO NOT TOUCH signs.

Room 6: Post Office and StoreBoth of these buttons play audio segments that are very interesting, but also hard to hear and understand for those with hearing impairments. Accented speech further complicates understanding.This is a recurring problem in MOCA, especially in the other, louder rooms.

Rooms 7 and 8: WWII and TodayThe last two rooms have multiple interactives. They provide great ways to enter into mid-twentieth century and contemporary Chinese-American culture

Rooms 7 and 8: WWII and TodayThe last two rooms have many videos, lots of text, lots of audio and multiple distractions

Rooms 7 and 8: WWII and TodayWhat a great solution for blocking out background noise for the hearing impaired, those with SPD, AD/HD, or auditory processing disorder!If only the screen was visible from below

Problems facing visitors with AD/HD at MOCAPeople with AD/HD face many distractions in MOCAWalls with many labels, objects and images

Objects dangling from the ceiling

Interactives next to objects that say DO NOT TOUCHDisabilities: Visual Impairments at MOCAPeople with low vision would find it difficult to read the font sizes on the labels and some of the exhibitions at MOCA

The lighting at MOCA might make it difficult for those with visual impairments to see the objects or read the labels

Color choices for fonts and for displays might make reading challenging for people with visual impairments

Moca virtual tour ppt

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