PROJECT 1: Universal Design and Access, Spotlight: Access Legibility in Bulgaria

PROJECT
1: Universal Design and Access,

Spotlight:
Access Legibility in Bulgaria

TL; DR: Review a 3-D model of a cool Bulgarian museum and build an
accessibility user guide and/or evaluate the museum website for accessibility.

Directions

Recalling the work you completed for the Second Making
Connections activity, this option asks you to virtually explore a famous
Bulgarian museum: The National Archaeological
Institute with Museum. 
Since you will not be able to visit the museum in person. Project 1 is
intentionally designed to be a remote activity.

Option 1-
Museum Accessibility

In this option, you will examine the museum’s embedded 3-D tour
and review the brick-and-mortar museum for accessibility as you begin to
build an Access Legibility user guide. (For a brief overview of the
museum exterior and surrounding areas, you can also view the S&C video here @ min 4:52.)

1.     
Observe: Using the 3D tour of The National
Archaeological Institute with Museum, make a list
of 3 accessibility features you observe.

·       Be sure to note the aspects that you believe to be “working.” You
can also make note of aspects that you are uncertain about and/or aspects that
appear to be “not working.”

·       Sample Observation: I notice that the entrance from the street
to the museum uses a wide, slightly sloped pathway rather than stairs.  This is “working” as it provides access for
those who have mobility disabilities and/or use mobility equipment. (N.
Armstrong)

2.     
Recommendation: In the style of a travel review, write a 250-400 word review of the museum (specifically commenting on aspects of Universal Design whenever
possible). Briefly give an overview of the location (feel free to properly cite
the 3-D tour) and then provide a list of 3-5 accessibility features that you
observe.

·       Sample of overview + descriptions here: Hilltop Hideaway: Accessibility for disabled

3.     
Question: Ask 3 questions about accessibility.  The point here is to draw out information
that does not appear to be available for disabled visitors to the museum. Our
work here is intentional: to foster inclusion and visibility of the disability
community by asking explicit questions and contributing to access legibility.

·       Sample Question: “While the entrance from the street to
the museum uses a wide, slightly sloped pathway, I notice that there are 2
stairs between the foyer and the main entrance to the museum.  Is there an alternate way to enter the museum
(i.e. a ramp and/or elevator)? (N. Armstrong)

Option 2 –
Website Accessibility

In this option, you will examine the museum’s embedded 3-D tour and
review the museum website for accessibility, relying on the principles
of Universal Design (as you currently understand them) as your guide.

1.      Observe: Using the 3D tour of The National Archaeological Institute with Museum, focus on the museum website make a list of 3 accessibility
features you observe.

·       Be sure to note the aspects that you believe to be “working.” You
can also make note of aspects that you are uncertain about and/or aspects that appear
to be “not working.”

·      
Sample Observation: I notice
that the 3D tour does not provide an audio description. This is “not working”
as it does not provide access for users who are blind/low vision. (N.
Armstrong)

2.      Review: In the style of an open letter,
write a 250-400 word review of the museum
website and its access features, highlighting the strengths and/or weakness
that you observe and specifically commenting on aspects
of Universal Design whenever possible.

3.      Recommend: Offer 3 recommendations
about accessibility that you believe would enhance the Museum website’s
usability.  The point here is to highlight
information that does not appear to be available for disabled visitors to the
museum. Our work here is intentional: to foster inclusion and visibility of the
disability community by recommending explicit actions and contributing to access
legibility.

·       Sample Recommendation: “Adding audio descriptions and captions
to the 3-D tour would provide greater user friendliness and to the website and
increase accessibility by ensuring ‘equitable use’.” (N. Armstrong)

Preparation
& Helpful Materials to Review

o  
Materials from Units 2-3

o  
Materials listed in the Second
Making Connections activity

Grading
Range: 

·       Stellar = 15 points; this activity

o  
demonstrates a dynamic
understanding of/connection to the material, making connections between,
through and beyond the materials.

o  
supports assertions and
conclusions with robust examples/discussion;

o  
demonstrates a good faith
effort by dynamically employing the analysis tools of the current unit; and,

o  
is largely free of errors
in grammar, usage, and mechanics.

·       Strong = 12 points; this activity

o  
demonstrates a robust
understanding of/connection to the material;

o  
supports assertions and
conclusions with adequate examples/discussion;

o  
demonstrates a good faith
effort by dynamically employing the analysis tools of the current unit; and,

o  
is generally free of errors
in grammar, usage, and mechanics.

·       Satisfactory = 7 points; this activity

o  
demonstrates a basic
understanding of/connection to the material;

o  
demonstrates a good faith
effort by marginally employing the analysis tools of the current unit;

o  
supports assertions and
conclusions with minimal examples/discussion; and,

o  
may have some errors, but
generally demonstrates control of grammar, usage, and mechanics.

·       Developing = 5 points; this activity has been minimally completed;
however,

o  
understanding of and
connection to the material could be developed further;

o  
tools of analysis could be
articulated in greater depth;

o  
assertions and conclusions
could be expanded further; and,