Abstract
The integration of digital innovations and multimedia installations has become an indispensable feature of modern museums, particularly in the realm of science and technology museums. For some museum visitors, comfort in interaction can be achieved by adhering to universal design principles and accessibility standards. However, for other groups additional features and adaptations are necessary to ensure inclusivity. At the Cryptography Museum, multimedia installations were designed not only to meet universal accessibility requirements but also to include specialized adapted modes. These include audio modes for blind visitors, enabling them to engage with exhibits in a non-visual format, as well as sign language modes for d/Deaf visitors. To evaluate the effectiveness of these modes, a study was conducted involving 48 UX tests with blind participants, alongside a survey of d/Deaf visitors. The study revealed key strategies for content adaptation, patterns in the utilization of accessible modes, and the extent to which these modes were valued by users. A significant finding was that such adaptations are not universally effective. For example, nearly half of the d/Deaf participants reported not using the sign language translation feature at all, while approximately one-third indicated that it significantly enhanced their comprehension of the exhibit content. During the UX tests with blind participants, it was observed that their focus was less on the informational content of the installations and more on the opportunity to interact collaboratively. This highlighted that, for these visitors, the museum experience is primarily a form of social interaction rather than a purely technical engagement.
Presenters
Nikita BolshakovCurator of Accessibility and Inclusive Programs, Cryptography Museum, Russian Federation
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Multimedia, Accessibility, Deaf, Blind, UX-tests
