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SOME USEFUL RESOURCES

Books
Telepohone
Websites

Books

Everyone's Welcome: the Americans with Disabilities

Act and Museums. Washington, DC: American

Association of Museums, 1999.

A manual for museum professionals to help them better understand and meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Recommendations address concerns for visitors with a range of physical and learning disabilities. Available with supplemental materials through the American Association of Museums (AAM);

http://www.aam-us.org.

Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design. Smithsonian Accessibility Program.

Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1996.

http://www.si.edu/opa/accessibility/exdesign/

A Smithsonian standards manual for accessible exhibitions, publications, and media. To receive a free copy (also available in large print, audiocassette, or Braille) write to the Smithsonian Accessibility Program,

Arts and Industries Building, Room 1410

Smithsonian Institution, 1000 Jefferson Drive, SW

Washington, DC 20560;

202/786-2942; TTY 202/786-2414; FAX 202/786-2210

User Friendly: Hands-on Exhibits that Work; Jeff Kennedy. Washington, DC: ASTC, 1994

This book applies the principles of universal design specifically to issues of accessibility in exhibit design.

New Dimensions for Traditional Dioramas: Multisensory Additions for Access, Interest and Learning; Betty Davidson. Museum of Science, Boston MA 1991

This book describes the process of retrofitting a diorama exhibit, using principles of universal design and engaging people of all ages, with various disabilities to assist in the project. Available through the Museum of Science Exhibits Department.

Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Justice ; 28CFR Part 36

A reprint of the portion of ADA which covers accessible design in public accommodations and commercial facilities. Available by calling the ADA Technical Assistance Center, (800)949-4232 V/TTY

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Telephone Helpline

The ADA Technical Assistance Center: (800)949-4232 V/TTY offers instant information and guidance on issues related to the Americans With Disabilities Act.

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Websites

http://www.abledata.com/ (A comprehensive resource on all aspects of disability related information.)

http://access.wgbh.org/ (The Media Access Group at WGBH)(617)300-3600 (Voice/TTY). Divisions of the Media Access Group include The Caption Center, Descriptive Video Service (DVS) and the CPB/WGBH National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM).

http://www2.edc.org/NCIP/ (The National Center to Improve Practice)

http://webdb.nidcd.nih.gov/resdir/resourc.html (The National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders)

http://trace.wisc.edu/ (The Trace Research and Development Center) (608)262-6966(V) or (608) 263-5408 (TTY); Comprensive articles and guidelines on disabilities and universal design, including information on accessible web sites, touch screens, kiosks, and facilities.

http://www.aam-us.org/ (The American Association of Museums)

http://www.astc.org/resource/access/index.htm (The Association of Science and Technology Centers - ASTC) A compilation of all aspects of accessible practices, as they apply to museums.

http://www.cast.org/ (The Center for Applied Special Technology - CAST) Wakefield, MA; Among other things, CAST offers a widely used model for an accessible website ("Bobby").

http://www.lighthouse.org/print_leg.htm (The Lighthouse) Information on legible print for people with low vision.

http://www.lighthouse.org/color_contrast.htm (The Lighthouse) A companion brochure on effective color contrast for people with low vision.

http://www.nbp.org/index.html ( National Braille Press)

http://accessible.si.edu/index.html#apps (Smithsonian Institution)

http://www.si.edu/opa/accessibility/ (Smithsonian Institution)

http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/ccvip/ ( Computer Center for Visually Impaired People at Baruch College in NYC)

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada (U.S. Department of Justice) Information and publications related to the ADA.

www.libertyresources.org/db/search.html Lists Independent Living Centers in each state - useful for finding advisors.

http://www.astc.org/resource/sound

http://www.mashantucket.com/handicap/efeat.html (The Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center)

http://www.nyscience.org (The New York Hall of Science)

http://www.chicagobotanic.org/HortTherapyGardenUpdate.html (The Chicago Botanic Garden) the Enabling Garden

http://www.voxsys.net Voxsys Audio Guides, Tel: 418/654-1115 (Audio Tours)

http://www.antennaaudio.com Antenna Audio Tours, PO Box 176, Sausalito, CA 94966 415/332-4862; (Audio Tours)

http://www.acoustiguide.com Acoustiguide (Audio Tours)

http://www.enhancedrealities.com Tel(256)704-5520. (Exhibit browser - kiosk and hand held) Audio Tours

http://www.elkproducts.com/products/elk-124.htm (Message repeaters)

http://www.talkingsigns.com/ (Wayfinding)

http://www.talkingsigns.com/mitsumon.shtml Of particular interest to museums is a variation of Talking Signs currently in development at Mitsubishi, which combines wayfinding with the ability to receive exhibit information. (Wayfinding)

http://www.touchgraphics.com/ (Tactile/Audio graphics; Wayfinding)

http://www.repro-tronics.com/ (Tactile/Audio graphics; Wayfinding)

http://www.tactile-audio.com/first.htm (Tactile/Audio graphics; Wayfinding)

Captek/Science Products Box 888, Southeastern PA 19399 800/888-7401

(Digital readouts of temperature or weight with speech output.)

http://www.purestereo.com Brown Innovations (Focused sound speakers)

http://www.museumtools.com Secret Sound speakers (Focused sound speakers)

http://www.happcontrols.com (easy to use, hard to destroy game controls; used in gaming arcades)

http://www.intellitools.com/navigation.html (keyboard, button adaptations)

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