Feature Writer Alena Roberts – Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia Brings Experiences of Disability to Life
As someone with a disability, I spend a lot of my time educating the public about what it means to be blind. Sometimes I don’t mind explaining things, but there are definitely instances when I wish that more people were exposed to people with disabilities. A museum in Philadelphia has created an exhibit that will hopefully do just that. The exhibit will be around until this April, and if you live in the area, I think it would be great to hear about someone’s experience.
According to their website, “Access-Ability presents people living with disabilities as participants in the world. The exhibit features fun and engaging activities that show similarities and differences in how each of us go places, communicate, have fun, and learn.” Here is what the exhibit includes.
Going Places: Visitors can explore a wheelchair obstacle course and a multi-sensory city walk.
Talk with Me: Visitors learn phrases in American Sign Language, type their names in Braille and communicate using pictures.
Just for Fun: Try a hand-pedaled bike and create art using sight, touch and sound.
Think about It: Visitors test their attention and memory skills.
Invent It: Experience design challenges, discover multiple ways to accomplish tasks and learn how things can be designed to work for the largest number of people.
Resource Area: Visitors can learn more through books and online resources.
I think these all sound like great exhibits where everyone can have fun and learn something new. I often wish that I myself had more exposure to people with different disabilities than my own.
For more information about the Please Touch Museum visit their website at http://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/