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

该项目的目标是通过提供实时音频解释，使动物园、科学中心和水族馆等非正式学习环境(ILE)中的动态展览对视力障碍的参观者来说是可访问和吸引的。我们的努力也将提升所有参观者的展览体验，无论他们的视觉能力如何。我们把重点放在水族馆领域，因为几乎每个展品都是动态的，而该设施的水生性质为生物跟踪提供了独特和有趣的挑战。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，潜在地导致视力障碍者的教育和娱乐机会大幅增加。该项目将利用焦点小组和创新的模拟来测试开发阶段的原型展品。跟踪和听觉展示将通过实验室研究和大型公共水族馆展品的现场测试进行评估。设计视力有障碍的参观者可以接触到的展品和口译材料的能力日益受到关注。除了有特殊视力障碍的人外，服务不足的人群还包括他们的家庭成员，以及数百万患有某些视力障碍的老年人，这些人影响了他们阅读标牌、看到文物和关注动态展览中的活动的能力。我们项目的结果也将增强那些视力完全的人的体验，但他们的移动性、高度或其他问题使他们很难看到传统的标志。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，同时将他们的视觉注意力保持在展览本身上。

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.