HCC: Medium: The Accessible Aquarium Project: Access to Dynamic Informal Learning Environments via Advanced Bio-Tracking and Adaptive Sonification

HCC：中：无障碍水族馆项目：通过先进的生物跟踪和自适应可听化技术访问动态非正式学习环境

• 批准号: 0905516
• 负责人: Bruce Walker
• 金额: $ 120万
• 依托单位: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-08-01 至 2014-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0905516&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: HCC; Medium; Accessible; Aquarium; Project

The goal of this project is to make dynamic exhibits in informal learning environments (ILEs), such as zoos, science centers, and aquaria, accessible and engaging for visitors with vision impairments by providing real-time audio interpretations. Our efforts will also enhance the exhibit experience for all visitors, regardless of visual ability. We focus on the aquarium domain, since virtually every exhibit is dynamic, and the aquatic nature of the facility provides unique and interesting challenges to bio-tracking. The principles and techniques we develop will be immediately applicable to zoos, museums, and other ILEs with dynamic exhibits, potentially leading to a dramatic increase in the educational and entertainment opportunities for people with vision impairments. The project will employ focus groups and innovative simulations to test prototype exhibits during the development stages. The tracking and auditory displays will then be evaluated through laboratory studies and field testing in exhibits in a large public aquarium. The ability to design exhibits and interpretation materials that are accessible to visitors with vision impairments is a growing concern. In addition to persons with specific vision impairments, the underserved population includes their family members, as well as the millions of older adults who have some vision loss that impacts their ability to read signage, see artifacts, and follow the activity in a dynamic exhibit. The results of our project will also enhance the experience for those with full vision, but for whom mobility, height, or other problems make it hard to see traditional signage. Indeed, all visitors will benefit from an audio enhancement that allows them to learn about the exhibit, while keeping their visual attention on the exhibit itself.

该项目的目标是通过提供实时音频解释，使非正式学习环境（ILEs）中的动态展览，如动物园，科学中心和水族馆，可供视力障碍的游客访问和参与。我们的努力也将提高所有参观者的展览体验，无论视觉能力如何。我们专注于水族馆领域，因为几乎每个展览都是动态的，并且该设施的水生性质为生物跟踪提供了独特而有趣的挑战。我们开发的原则和技术将立即适用于动物园，博物馆和其他具有动态展品的ILE，可能会为视力障碍者带来戏剧性的教育和娱乐机会。该项目将采用焦点小组和创新的模拟，在开发阶段测试原型展品。跟踪和听觉显示将通过实验室研究和大型公共水族馆的现场测试进行评估。设计展览和解说材料使有视力障碍的参观者能够使用的能力日益受到关注。除了有特定视力障碍的人之外，服务不足的人群还包括他们的家庭成员，以及数百万患有视力丧失的老年人，这些视力丧失影响了他们阅读标牌，看到文物和跟踪动态展览活动的能力。我们项目的结果也将增强那些有完整视觉的人的体验，但对于那些移动性，高度或其他问题使其很难看到传统标志的人来说。事实上，所有参观者都将受益于音频增强，使他们能够了解展览，同时保持他们对展览本身的视觉注意力。