The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (NMUSAF) is committed to making aviation history accessible for individuals with disabilities by providing Specialized Touch Tours and Sign Language Interpreted Tours.
A news release from NMUSAF, available here, highlights a collaboration with the Ohio State School for the Blind, the Montgomery County Education Service Center, and the American Printing House for the Blind. This partnership has led to the installation of Braille plaques that comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards throughout the museum.
The release further discusses how, thanks to technology and expertise from the SPARKS Technology Group at Xenia Public Library and the NMUSAF Restoration and Exhibits Team, 3D models of significant aircraft were developed using a flexible, child-friendly material. These models were later transformed into durable, high-quality versions suitable for printing, allowing tangible interaction for museum visitors with blindness or low vision through a process known as Stereolithography.
According to an article on HowStuffWorks linked here, Stereolithography is a 3D printing method that constructs objects layer by layer by exposing resin to an ultraviolet (UV) light source.
Over 80 of these models have been installed at NMUSAF, with plans to eventually have 91 on display to enhance the experience for visitors with visual impairments, as mentioned in the release.
Volunteers have been instrumental in assembling and mounting Braille signage and displays throughout the museum galleries. Bob Pinizzotto, a volunteer leading this initiative at NMUSAF, shared its significance.
“We have collaborated with experts and educators to create these displays, ensuring they offer a meaningful experience for visitors. This addition allows more individuals to connect with the history preserved here and appreciate the legacy of the Airmen who defended our nation,” he stated.
NMUSAF now provides specialized guided touch tours, enabling visitors who are blind or have low vision to fully enjoy the hands-on experiences offered by the new displays.
Jason Riley, a Board Member at the Access Center of Independent Living (ACIL) who has low vision due to Retinitis Pigmentosa, expressed his enthusiasm for the specialized touch tour of the museum.
“Experiencing these exhibits through touch was amazing. It allowed me to engage with aviation history in a completely new manner,” he remarked.
Additionally, NMUSAF is collaborating with Sinclair Community College to offer sign language interpreted tours, ensuring that visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing have access to the stories and history conveyed throughout the museum. An American Sign Language tour (ASL) is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th, according to the release.
Jennifer Hess, a Museum Specialist who spearheaded the partnership with Sinclair Community College to enhance accessibility at NMUSAF, emphasized the value of these new offerings.
“By broadening our ASL programming, we are making Air Force history and STEM education more accessible to a wider audience. Collaborating with Sinclair Community College has been essential in helping us reach more visitors and students in impactful ways,” she noted.
According to the NMUSAF Group Tour information found here, sign language interpreted tours will be offered monthly in partnership with Sinclair Community College. Specialized touch tours and sign language interpreted tours can also be customized based on guest interests, with a request made at least four weeks in advance. To schedule a specialized tour, call 937-255-8048. Visitors with hearing impairments can contact NMUSAF through the Ohio Relay Service by calling 711.
For further details on these accessibility features and available tours at NMUSAF, please visit https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Education/Special-Needs/.
