Xiyue Wang

As a crucial place for informal learning, science museums feature multimedia exhibitions and themed workshops. However, their accessibility for visually impaired visitors remains underexplored. This study leverages workshops in science museums as a platform to enhance accessibility. We iteratively designed an accessible workshop titled \quotLearning by Touch–Life in Space in collaboration with diverse stakeholders. Once launched as a recurring museum program, 28 visually impaired participants attended over the course of a year and provided feedback on its accessibility. Additional insights were gathered through focus group interviews with six workshop staff and seven participants, focusing on current practices, accessibility challenges, and technological possibilities for workshops and exhibitions. Our findings contribute: (1) a participatory and adaptive framework for accessible science workshop design; (2) practical accessibility guidelines for museum staff on training, co-development, and content planning; and (3) actions for applying emerging technologies to support flexible, social, and enjoyable science experiences for visually impaired visitors.

Tactile exploration is extremely important for blind and low vision (BLV) users to understand concepts. Although Interactive 3D Models that integrate modalities such as audio and vibration have been developed to create self-directed tactile exploration experiences, they depend on pre-defined commands and fixed interaction flows, which limit opportunities for adaptive guidance. In this study, we examine how interactive dialogue and temporal dynamics can enhance tactile learning experiences, particularly in the context of science communication where BLV users frequently encounter abstract and spatially complex topics. We conducted interviews with 22 tactile guidance experts to identify effective explanation techniques and communication strategies. We then employed a technology probe that combines multiple tactile models with a voice-based “Touch and Talk” system, using a Wizard-of-Oz approach with 10 BLV participants. The experiment revealed strategies that support understanding and foster curiosity. Based on findings, we propose a set of design implications aimed at supporting BLV users in autonomously exploring complex scientific content.

Guiding blind visitors to navigate and comprehend exhibits is crucial in museums. Two paradigms of smartphone-based guide systems have emerged: one provides direct interaction with turn-by-turn navigation and screen reader-controlled audio description, while the other offers immersive experiences with spatialized sound navigation and automatically playing audio content. However, it remains unclear which system better supports museum experiences. In a comparative study at a science museum with seven blind participants experiencing both systems, we found that immersive spatialized sound was more effective and preferred for navigation. For information provision, participants valued audio autoplay’s minimal operation but expressed a need for on-demand direct control. The touch instructions provided by both systems were found inadequate for aiding interactions with tactile exhibits. Our findings suggest that a hybrid system, which adds direct interaction to the immersive experience and is adaptable to both environment and user requirements, could enhance the museum experience for blind visitors.

Obtaining information before a visit is one of the priority needs and challenges for blind museum visitors. We propose BentoMuseum, a layered, stackable, and three-dimensional museum map that makes complex structural information accessible by allowing explorations on a floor and between floors. Touchpoints are embedded to provide audio-tactile interactions that allow a user to learn the museum’s exhibits and navigation when one floor is placed on a touch screen. Using a tour design task, we invited 12 first-time blind visitors to explore the museum building, choose exhibits that attracted them, and build a mental map with exhibit names and directions. The results show that the system is useful in obtaining information that links geometric shapes, contents, and locations to then build a rough mental map. The connected floors and spatial structures motivated users to explore. Moreover, having a rough mental map enhanced orientation and confidence while traveling in the museum.

Making complex structures accessible to blind people is challenging due to the need for skilled explainers. Interactive 3D printed models (I3Ms) have been developed to enable independent learning of 3D models through activating audio labels. However, they present single-layered information and require users to identify interactive elements through a pinpointing action, which might be insufficient for learning complex and unfamiliar subjects. In this paper, we investigate I3Ms for complex structures. We propose TouchPilot, a guidance system designed based on a study that observed learner-explainer interaction styles. TouchPilot guides users step by step through navigation, exploration of hierarchical elements, and confirmation of their entire areas. A follow-up study found that the guidance system led to better learning outcomes and higher independence compared to a pinpointing system. Feedback suggests that being primed by the guidance system systematically, followed by pinpointing freely for review, is preferred for learning complex structures.

Obtaining information before a visit is one of the priority needs and challenges for blind museum visitors. We propose BentoMuseum, a layered, stackable, and three-dimensional museum map that makes complex structural information accessible by allowing explorations on a floor and between floors. Touchpoints are embedded to provide audio-tactile interactions that allow a user to learn the museum’s exhibits and navigation when one floor is placed on a touch screen. Using a tour design task, we invited 12 first-time blind visitors to explore the museum building, chose exhibits that attracted them, and built a mental map with exhibit names and directions. The results show that the system is useful in obtaining information that links geometric shapes, contents, and locations to then build a rough mental map. The connected floors and spatial structures motivated users to explore. Moreover, having a rough mental map enhanced orientation and confidence when traveling through the museum.