0:00:00.936,0:00:02.810 [MUSIC PLAYING] 0:00:02.810,0:00:05.780 NARRATOR: Providing accessible[br]informal STEM learning. 0:00:05.780,0:00:09.175 [MUSIC PLAYING] 0:00:18.165,0:00:19.790 CHARLOTTE MARTIN:[br]I'm Charlotte Martin. 0:00:19.790,0:00:21.830 I'm the Director of[br]Access Initiatives 0:00:21.830,0:00:25.220 at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and[br]Space Museum in New York City. 0:00:25.220,0:00:30.500 And one of my big takeaways[br]working in access for a number 0:00:30.500,0:00:35.510 of years now is not to[br]assume what an individual can 0:00:35.510,0:00:40.040 or cannot do, but rather[br]knowing the potential barriers 0:00:40.040,0:00:42.680 presented by your space or[br]your program or the challenge 0:00:42.680,0:00:45.650 you're working on, trying to[br]mitigate those as best you can 0:00:45.650,0:00:50.240 in advance, and then being[br]prepared to offer clear options 0:00:50.240,0:00:52.110 and information[br]about those options. 0:00:52.110,0:00:56.265 So having text labels,[br]having large print available, 0:00:56.265,0:00:58.640 so having large print labels[br]that people can borrow, also 0:00:58.640,0:01:01.850 having that content available[br]online through an accessible 0:01:01.850,0:01:04.099 web page that you can[br]access through a QR code. 0:01:04.099,0:01:07.065 By building those resources[br]into the exhibition, 0:01:07.065,0:01:09.440 you can still have that shared[br]experience with the people 0:01:09.440,0:01:12.980 that you came with even[br]if some are disabled 0:01:12.980,0:01:15.740 or not disabled or have[br]different preferences for how 0:01:15.740,0:01:17.150 they get that information. 0:01:17.150,0:01:19.645 [MUSIC PLAYING] 0:01:34.515,0:01:35.140 KATY MENNE: Hi. 0:01:35.140,0:01:36.400 My name is Katy Menne. 0:01:36.400,0:01:39.430 I'm the Curator of Education[br]at the North Carolina Maritime 0:01:39.430,0:01:41.770 Museum at Southport. 0:01:41.770,0:01:46.510 We strive every day, all[br]day, through all platforms 0:01:46.510,0:01:48.820 and on site to make[br]sure that we are 0:01:48.820,0:01:53.090 accessible for all people,[br]all ages, all abilities. 0:01:53.090,0:01:55.540 So if it's reading the[br]exhibits and going through 0:01:55.540,0:01:57.790 at your own pace, if[br]it's scanning a QR 0:01:57.790,0:02:01.810 code for a semi-guided audio[br]tour, including American Sign 0:02:01.810,0:02:05.230 Language, or if it's[br]utilizing our Braille 0:02:05.230,0:02:09.340 maps to go throughout the[br]building, no matter what, 0:02:09.340,0:02:11.740 we hope that you[br]have an opportunity 0:02:11.740,0:02:15.535 to learn, and do, and be the[br]best version of yourself. 0:02:15.535,0:02:17.916 [MUSIC PLAYING] 0:02:29.575,0:02:30.950 ISAAC BEAVERS:[br]I'm Isaac Beavers. 0:02:30.950,0:02:33.890 I'm with the Alabama[br]Institute for Deaf and Blind 0:02:33.890,0:02:35.150 in Huntsville. 0:02:35.150,0:02:41.780 In our informal STEM[br]learning programs, 0:02:41.780,0:02:47.730 we serve primarily blind and[br]visually impaired students. 0:02:47.730,0:02:52.730 We have over the last[br]few years incorporated 0:02:52.730,0:02:55.400 deaf and hard-of-hearing[br]students. 0:02:55.400,0:02:57.560 So one of the things[br]we do is make sure 0:02:57.560,0:03:03.500 that on our registrations, we[br]ask what consumers might need, 0:03:03.500,0:03:04.820 attendees might need. 0:03:04.820,0:03:07.250 When we're working with[br]blind and visually impaired, 0:03:07.250,0:03:09.380 we want to make[br]sure that we have 0:03:09.380,0:03:15.200 Braille, tactile[br]representations and models. 0:03:15.200,0:03:18.770 We want to make sure that[br]we have audio access. 0:03:18.770,0:03:21.860 And when we're[br]working with our deaf, 0:03:21.860,0:03:24.080 we always make sure we[br]have American Sign Language 0:03:24.080,0:03:30.720 interpreters, and also we have[br]a few FM devices along the way. 0:03:30.720,0:03:32.220 RYAN SAGLIO: My[br]name is Ryan Saglio. 0:03:32.220,0:03:35.160 I am the Supported[br]Employment Program Manager 0:03:35.160,0:03:38.040 at a human services[br]nonprofit in Massachusetts 0:03:38.040,0:03:40.140 called Attleboro Enterprises. 0:03:40.140,0:03:43.470 I work exclusively with[br]individuals with disabilities 0:03:43.470,0:03:45.870 and mental illness who are[br]looking to find employment 0:03:45.870,0:03:47.790 opportunities out[br]in their community, 0:03:47.790,0:03:51.030 but I have also in the past[br]done accessibility and inclusion 0:03:51.030,0:03:53.680 work for some of the local[br]museums here in New England. 0:03:53.680,0:03:56.730 I think that good accessibility[br]work is basic accessibility 0:03:56.730,0:03:59.880 work, things like having[br]bathrooms that are accessible, 0:03:59.880,0:04:04.590 benches that are accessible,[br]wide walking paths. 0:04:04.590,0:04:09.000 A story that I often tell[br]of accessibility gone wrong 0:04:09.000,0:04:12.840 is I recently visited a museum[br]that I was very excited to see. 0:04:12.840,0:04:14.640 I'd been waiting two[br]years to get there. 0:04:14.640,0:04:17.760 I do have my own[br]physical disabilities 0:04:17.760,0:04:20.790 and physical limitations, so[br]I don't use mobility aids, 0:04:20.790,0:04:22.920 but I do need to sit[br]down quite often. 0:04:22.920,0:04:26.010 And we were in the museum,[br]and we were walking around, 0:04:26.010,0:04:28.530 and after a couple of minutes,[br]I really needed to sit, 0:04:28.530,0:04:31.980 and because of COVID, they had[br]removed all of the benches. 0:04:31.980,0:04:34.350 So as we're walking[br]through the museum, 0:04:34.350,0:04:37.650 I'm looking for somewhere to[br]sit down so I can take a moment, 0:04:37.650,0:04:39.030 and we're not finding one. 0:04:39.030,0:04:40.680 And the further we[br]get into the museum, 0:04:40.680,0:04:42.870 the less I'm looking[br]at the museum, 0:04:42.870,0:04:45.918 and the more I'm just[br]looking for a bench. 0:04:45.918,0:04:47.460 And by the time we[br]finally found one, 0:04:47.460,0:04:49.830 there was a line of people[br]who were looking to sit down, 0:04:49.830,0:04:51.908 so we actually just left. 0:04:51.908,0:04:52.700 TANY HOLZWORTH: Hey. 0:04:52.700,0:04:53.750 I'm Tany Holzworth. 0:04:53.750,0:04:57.800 I'm the content designer[br]for Inclusive Classroom 0:04:57.800,0:05:00.920 Tools at Microsoft,[br]and previously, I 0:05:00.920,0:05:02.630 was managing the[br]Volunteer Inclusion 0:05:02.630,0:05:04.220 Program at Woodland Park Zoo. 0:05:04.220,0:05:07.280 And some of the things that[br]were the most successful with us 0:05:07.280,0:05:12.320 when we first got started were[br]revamping the Accessibility 0:05:12.320,0:05:14.150 Guidelines on our website. 0:05:14.150,0:05:17.720 We found that a lot of[br]people with disabilities 0:05:17.720,0:05:20.690 didn't perceive the[br]zoo to be accessible 0:05:20.690,0:05:23.570 for them to even visit, so[br]it never occurred to them 0:05:23.570,0:05:25.950 to volunteer at the zoo. 0:05:25.950,0:05:28.460 So by updating the[br]website and making sure 0:05:28.460,0:05:32.480 that there was a way to request[br]accommodations or see what 0:05:32.480,0:05:34.550 accommodations are[br]available, we were 0:05:34.550,0:05:38.000 able to get a lot more folks[br]interested in volunteering. 0:05:38.000,0:05:39.800 The other thing that[br]was really important 0:05:39.800,0:05:47.090 was training staff and existing[br]volunteers without disabilities 0:05:47.090,0:05:51.500 to presume competence of[br]the incoming volunteers. 0:05:51.500,0:05:55.920 And by that, I just[br]mean treating them 0:05:55.920,0:05:59.010 as much as possible[br]like anybody else 0:05:59.010,0:06:00.975 who would be a new volunteer. 0:06:00.975,0:06:03.470 [MUSIC PLAYING] 0:06:15.820,0:06:17.320 DIANA JOHNS: My[br]name is Diana Johns. 0:06:17.320,0:06:19.690 I'm the Vice President[br]for Exhibits, Education, 0:06:19.690,0:06:22.300 and Outreach at[br]Pacific Science Center, 0:06:22.300,0:06:28.070 and I have been with the[br]Science Center for 17 years now. 0:06:28.070,0:06:30.872 I think for an institution[br]that's been around since 1962, 0:06:30.872,0:06:32.830 some of the challenges[br]that you're dealing with 0:06:32.830,0:06:35.140 are legacy issues. 0:06:35.140,0:06:39.940 So one of the best practices is[br]when you have that opportunity 0:06:39.940,0:06:46.615 to make a significant[br]change to a legacy area, 0:06:46.615,0:06:49.630 how are you thinking about the[br]accessibility of that area? 0:06:49.630,0:06:53.620 We recently put in[br]a new experience 0:06:53.620,0:06:58.180 that we'd had before,[br]and the vendor 0:06:58.180,0:07:00.490 had asked if we could put[br]it back in the same place, 0:07:00.490,0:07:06.633 and we said no because that[br]was not accessible to everyone. 0:07:06.633,0:07:08.550 CHARLOTTE MARTIN: But[br]the thing I would really 0:07:08.550,0:07:09.990 encourage from[br]the very beginning 0:07:09.990,0:07:13.680 is engaging directly with[br]disabled self-advocates, 0:07:13.680,0:07:16.470 and engage with them at[br]all levels of your planning 0:07:16.470,0:07:18.990 from the very beginning at[br]that brainstorming to identify 0:07:18.990,0:07:21.365 what the priorities should be[br]or what the challenges are, 0:07:21.365,0:07:22.560 what the opportunities are. 0:07:22.560,0:07:24.172 It's the expression-- 0:07:24.172,0:07:26.130 Don't let the perfect be[br]the enemy of the good. 0:07:26.130,0:07:27.343 We need to start somewhere. 0:07:27.343,0:07:29.010 But as long as it's[br]iterative, and we're 0:07:29.010,0:07:31.020 learning along the[br]way, that's really 0:07:31.020,0:07:34.360 what's going to make[br]the big difference. 0:07:34.360,0:07:36.610 KATY MENNE: When designing[br]programs and exhibits, 0:07:36.610,0:07:40.100 we try to look at[br]the whole person. 0:07:40.100,0:07:42.530 So if you are sitting[br]in a wheelchair, 0:07:42.530,0:07:44.440 if you're sitting on[br]the floor, if you're 0:07:44.440,0:07:46.870 walking around needing[br]constant movement, 0:07:46.870,0:07:49.660 how can you still[br]learn and interact 0:07:49.660,0:07:51.430 with our maritime topics? 0:07:51.430,0:07:53.830 So materials[br]utilized in classes, 0:07:53.830,0:07:56.290 like crayons or[br]scissors, we try to have 0:07:56.290,0:07:57.910 several different options. 0:07:57.910,0:08:03.070 We hope that as you take[br]on this journey of creating 0:08:03.070,0:08:05.920 inclusive and accessible[br]spaces for all people 0:08:05.920,0:08:10.120 that you think about putting[br]yourself in the shoes 0:08:10.120,0:08:13.590 and in the spaces of others. 0:08:13.590,0:08:16.650 ISAAC BEAVERS: As[br]you think about how 0:08:16.650,0:08:19.080 to accommodate someone[br]who is blind or visually impaired 0:08:19.080,0:08:22.260 and somebody who's deaf[br]or hard-of-hearing, 0:08:22.260,0:08:27.450 the fact of the matter is,[br]is that almost all of us 0:08:27.450,0:08:31.860 could benefit from something[br]that is larger print, that 0:08:31.860,0:08:35.850 is high contrast,[br]almost all of us 0:08:35.850,0:08:42.150 could benefit from[br]clear communication. 0:08:42.150,0:08:44.940 RYAN SAGLIO: When you make one[br]small change with one community 0:08:44.940,0:08:48.390 need in mind, it often[br]has ramifications and can 0:08:48.390,0:08:50.580 impact more than just one. 0:08:50.580,0:08:52.710 So when you make a space[br]wheelchair accessible, 0:08:52.710,0:08:54.630 you make it easier for[br]a mom with a stroller 0:08:54.630,0:08:56.430 to also navigate that space. 0:08:56.430,0:08:58.770 When you create a[br]gender neutral bathroom, 0:08:58.770,0:09:01.655 you create a place for dads to[br]bring their kids or caregivers 0:09:01.655,0:09:03.030 who might be out[br]in the community 0:09:03.030,0:09:07.770 and need a space that is neither[br]a men's room or a women's room. 0:09:07.770,0:09:10.410 Or when you create a[br]picture menu for somebody 0:09:10.410,0:09:12.210 that doesn't read,[br]you also allow 0:09:12.210,0:09:14.220 someone who might[br]have extreme anxiety 0:09:14.220,0:09:15.960 or might be an English[br]language learner 0:09:15.960,0:09:23.910 to also occupy that space and[br]have the typical experience. 0:09:23.910,0:09:31.800 DIANA JOHNS: When you do design[br]something that you make sure 0:09:31.800,0:09:38.160 you are testing that with a[br]wide variety of potential users 0:09:38.160,0:09:43.470 because you will learn[br]very quickly if something 0:09:43.470,0:09:48.130 is truly as close to universally[br]designed as possible. 0:09:48.130,0:09:50.250 So I think it's[br]always never assume 0:09:50.250,0:09:51.430 you've got all the answers. 0:09:51.430,0:09:54.090 Make sure that you[br]are testing things 0:09:54.090,0:09:57.705 with all the variety of users[br]that you hope to invite. 0:09:57.705,0:09:59.890 [MUSIC PLAYING] 0:09:59.890,0:10:01.600 NARRATOR: This[br]presentation was created 0:10:01.600,0:10:06.100 by AccessISL, which supports[br]efforts to make informal STEM 0:10:06.100,0:10:08.200 learning opportunities[br]more welcoming 0:10:08.200,0:10:11.650 and accessible to everyone,[br]especially individuals 0:10:11.650,0:10:14.810 with disabilities. 0:10:14.810,0:10:18.710 For more information, visit[br]the AccessISL website, 0:10:18.710,0:10:28.730 uw.edu/doit/programs/accessisl. 0:10:28.730,0:10:32.060 AccessISL is supported by[br]National Science Foundation 0:10:32.060,0:10:39.530 grant number DRL-1906147. 0:10:39.530,0:10:43.010 Any questions, findings, and[br]conclusions or recommendations 0:10:43.010,0:10:45.950 expressed in this material[br]are those of the speakers, 0:10:45.950,0:10:48.050 and do not necessarily[br]reflect the views 0:10:48.050,0:10:49.790 of the federal government. 0:10:49.790,0:10:55.250 Copyright 2022,[br]University of Washington. 0:10:55.250,0:10:57.560 Permission is granted[br]to copy these materials 0:10:57.560,0:11:00.200 for educational[br]non-commercial purposes 0:11:00.200,0:11:03.670 provided the source[br]is acknowledged.