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（ILEs）中的动态展品易于访问，并吸引视力受损的游客。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。我们专注于水族馆领域，因为几乎每个展品都是动态的，而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、博物馆和其他有动态展品的场所，可能会大大增加视力障碍人士的教育和娱乐机会。该项目将在开发阶段采用焦点小组和创新模拟来测试原型展品。跟踪和听觉展示将通过实验室研究和在大型公共水族馆的展览现场测试来评估。为视力受损的参观者设计展品和解说材料的能力日益受到关注。除了患有特殊视力障碍的人之外，服务不足的人群还包括他们的家庭成员，以及数百万患有某种视力丧失的老年人，这些老年人影响了他们阅读标牌、观看文物和跟随动态展览活动的能力。我们项目的成果也将增强那些视力健全的人的体验，但对于那些流动性、高度或其他问题使他们很难看到传统标牌的人来说。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，同时保持他们的视觉注意力在展览本身。

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.