America Animal Park ­ Limbach-Oberfrohna

The penguin enclosure at Amerika Tierpark Limbach-Oberfrohna is going to get new information boards. In particular, interactive elements are to be incorporated and barrier-free content designed with a focus on people with visual impairments. First, we ask ourselves what content is interesting for visitors to the zoo, regardless of whether they are young or old, sighted or blind. Finally, we consider how we can offer added value to people with visual impairments and how this can be integrated in a playful way. We take into account the technical requirements for Braille, tactile models and audio stations and develop playful, interactive stations that can be experienced by everyone.

We are designing and creating a total of three information boards and an audio station. Models made of weatherproof material will be integrated into the boards to make knowledge tangible. This will allow visitors to both see and feel the differences in the shape and size of eggs from different bird species. The shape of a penguin's body and the type of feet can also be recreated using tactile models. Visitors can also use three buttons to play the calls of different bird species via integrated loudspeakers. The resolution of which call belongs to which bird can be discovered in a playful way under mounted flaps.

What makes this project special is its focus on the inclusion of people with visual impairments. One challenge was to display the information signs for all birds in a small space while making them accessible to both sighted and visually impaired people. Our solution: transparent Braille on printed panels. This makes the information accessible to everyone!