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Date: | Thu, 11 Dec 2003 10:01:49 -0500 |
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ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Rearranging stuff in my office, I came across the schedule and brochure
for school groups produced each year by the Kennedy Center and National
Symphony Orchestra here in Washington, DC.
Many more students with disabilities are part of school groups and your
being prepared makes for a better experience for them and for you. I
know that science centers and museums are working on this aspect of
their school programs and I thought the thoroughness in which the
Kennedy Center brochure asks for information related to accessibility
might be helpful as an example of what is offered, how information is
asked for, and the language used. I'll list some of those ways below (I
am sure you could ask for your own copy by e-mailing Betty Siegal:
access-kennedy-center.org ).
The international symbol of accessibility first appears on page 3 next
to the heading in bold, sans serif font reading Access for Persons with
Disabilities. What follows is pargraph welcoming persons with
disabilities and a list of what accommodations are available; these
include large-print versons of printed programs and sign languag/cued
speech interpretation. Readers are directed to the Accessibility section
on the registration form.
The registration form is on page 25. Under heading Accessibility is
statement saying need three weeks advance notice to provide services
checked below. The list that follows has space for a teacher to write
the number of students/adults requiring accessibility accommodations
(the term used). Six items plus Other are listed. The six are
easy-access seating(no stairs); infrared listening device; cued
speech/sign language interpretation; audio description; Braille
cuesheets; and large-print cuesheets.
The page preceding the registration form introduces it. One quarter of
this page is dedicated to Access for Patrons with Disabilities. The text
in this box repeats what was said on page 3, adds that requests should
be made three weeks in advance of the services requested, and gives
contact info for the Office of Accessibility. Accessibility icons are
shown at each corner to reiterate what services are available.
I am unsure what happens to completed registration forms; that is, how
the Kennedy Center Office of Accessibility receives them and when, so as
to take any needed actions.
I am also unsure how much direct contact the Office of Accessibility has
with teachers. Perhaps calls are made when the info is unclear (e.g.,
all items are checked). While you should not ask teachers for names of
individuals needing an accommodation, I would think teachers would be
reassured that you are working to make their group visit a good one.
Hope this is helpful,
Sally
Sally Middlebrooks
ASTC
1025 Vermont Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-783-7200 x 118
www.astc.org
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