Museums and Theatre: Strategies for Life, Living Well with Vision Loss
By Debby Smith, Rehabilitation Specialist
November 1, 2008
Some people who are experiencing changes in their vision are not sure how they could possibly get anything out of visiting a museum or attending a theatrical performance. They wonder why go to a museum or to a play if you can not see? There are lots of positive reasons why!
Many museums have worked hard to make their exhibits accessible. In some cases museums allow the visitors to touch an artifact wearing gloves. Others create replicas of the original art to be explored tactilely. Some have audio tours. When planning a visit to any museum, call ahead. Ask the staff if they can work with you to make this an interesting experience. Many staff at museums, large and small, are more than happy to make accommodations.
For example, there are many opportunities to experience cultural events in the Greater Boston area including museums and live theatre. The Museum of Fine Arts offers A Feeling for Form, where trained volunteers lead tours allowing opportunities for tactile exploration.
Boston’s Museum of Science includes people with disabilities and senior citizens in the planning process as the exhibits are developed. The study group’s recommendations have resulted in everything from making exhibits tactile to larger, clearer signage to adding seats for people to rest.
Perkins School for the Blind, just outside the city in Watertown, has a tactile museum exploring the school’s rich history and the development of the education of students who are blind and deafblind. The museum is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 – 4 PM.
Most public libraries and the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library (BTBL) offer free or discount passes to area museums, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, New England Aquarium and Mystic Seaport. BTBL patrons should call to reserve passes.
In recent years increasing numbers of theatre productions have been made accessible to patrons who are visually impaired by offering audio-described performances. In live theatre, a narrator describes what is happening on stage without interfering with the performers’ dialogue. The patron receives the descriptive narration through a set of headphones.
The theatres provide this service at selected performances. In some cases, audience members who are visually impaired are invited to a live pre-show introduction allowing them to meet the actors and see costumes and props up close. Most times braille and large print programs are available.
To inquire about audio-described performances, contact the theater directly. Patrons of the BTBL can sign up for a twice a year announcement of Boston productions being audio-described. Local Boston theatres that have offered audio-described performances include the Wang Center, Boston Opera House, Colonial Theatre, Wheelock Family Theatre and New Repertory Theatre.
Live theatre is exciting. The beauty and history of a museum is enriching. Some people choose to experience cultural activities on their own for relaxing solitude. Others welcome an opportunity to be out with friends. In any case, cultural outings are for everyone!
Perkins Outreach Services for Ages 55 and Older, Outreach@Perkins.org, 617-972-7643.
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