By Kate Kocienski
Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is excited to announce the implementation of Aira, an app-based service that connects people who are blind or have low vision to highly trained, remotely-located agents in real time to guide them through exploration of the Museum at no cost to the visitor.

Through the app on the user’s smartphone, Aira delivers instant access to visual information at the touch of a button, enhancing everyday efficiency, engagement and independence. Visitors to the GRPM can download the app and begin using the service during their visit for free. Through visual interpretation, this guided service provides access for visitors  who are blind or low vision to engage with exhibits, label text, interactives and more while they explore the Museum on their terms.

 

“The Grand Rapids Public Museum is proud to continue to expand access to the Museum for members of the community who are blind or low vision, unlocking an independent experience,” said Dale Robertson, President & CEO of the GRPM. “By partnering with Aira to offer this free access to anyone visiting the GRPM, we are continuing to ensure the Museum is as accessible and inclusive to the broadest population.”

Once connected to an Aira agent, the  visitor, referred to Aira as an Explorer, will decide where and when they would like additional access to information.  They can choose to be navigated through the Museum, making their way to exhibits, the Curiosity Shop, Cafe or anywhere else they would like to go. The Aira agent will customize the experience to what the visitor or Explorer is interested in seeing and learning, reading labels and explaining the details of the artifacts and information around them.

Aira came recommended to the GRPM by the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) through the Museum’s exhibit design process. As the Museum works towards a new, internally-designed exhibit, Fashion and Nature, it connects with local groups and experts within the community for feedback on design, accessibility and inclusivity. As the Museum looks to not only ensure that Fashion and Nature is being designed and built for broad audiences, but that the entire Museum experience is accessible, members of ABVI shared their experience using the Aira service and how empowering it has been in their everyday lives. ABVI is one of many groups the Museum works with for this feedback, including GVSU occupational therapists, Anishinaabe Circle, Disability Advocates of Kent County and more.

 

For more information or to begin your visit to the GRPM, visit grpm.org.