The National Museum currently hosts a temporary exhibition that offers a unique opportunity for visitors with disabilities. Researchers from 11 different Departments collaborated to put a large variety of items on display in the temporary exhibition space, opposite the cafeteria on the ground floor. Almost all of these specimens are available for touch by the visually impaired and blind, so that all visitors should be able to ‘experience’ the objects and learn from the interesting, enlarged, text and / or braille.
Objects include enlarged 3D prints of small and microscopic animals, most probably completely unseen by more than 95% of people. Both sighted and blind visitors can, for example, experience the many differences in bird beak and claw shape and structure, soil mite character, scorpion claw and tail structure, small mammal shape and hair thickness, and bat skeletons that allow them to live, feed, reproduce and survive in their specific environments. Also visitors can encounter some very old artefacts from our Anthropology and History collections, relevant to people living with disabilities, and examples of art where the non-blind are dependent on blind people to interpret the meaning of the work of art for them.
Guides have been specially trained to provide information and to open the respective cupboards for touch. Even though sounds are available at specific places in the exhibition halls, visitors are encouraged to ask for the free and easy-to-use sound tours at the Reception desk.
The National Museum has over the years adapted our exhibitions and exhibition halls to enhance the experience for persons living with disabilities. However, their experiences could be further improved with the help of visitors to our Museum. Please, assist us in this endeavor by leaving your comments on how we can improve the accessibility of our permanent exhibitions even further.
The current temporary exhibition will remain open to the public until Sunday 28 February 2021. Strict Covid-19 safety measures are in place, only a limited number of visitors are allowed inside the museum at any one time, and blind and visually impaired guests are welcome to book a guide that will receive them at Reception (tel. 051 4479609).
#disability l #accessibility l #Museums l #Bloemfontein
Comments are closed.