Exhibition at Powerhouse Museum explores blindness and low vision
Living in a sensory world: stories from people with blindness and low vision is an exhibition offering visitors a window into the world of the blind and low vision community and celebrates their achievements.
The exhibition features objects from Vision Australia’s heritage collection as well as examples of new technologies that are increasing the independence of thousands of Australians. The exhibition aims to educate about eye conditions, as well as offer insight into how Australians who are blind or have low vision learn, work, play sport, create art and carry out everyday household tasks.
Objects on show include a cylindrical rotating braille map created by Australia’s RF Tunley in the 1940s; Sonicguide glasses from the 1960s, which used sounds to identify objects; a Taylor slate from the early 20th century that assisted people who were blind to learn maths as well as examples of modern technology such as a phone that can capture text in image form and read it aloud to the user. There is also a copy of a braille Playboy from 1974.
The exhibition will feature braille, large print labelling and audio guides are also available (which can also be downloaded from Vision Australia). The exhibition runs daily from 10 am to 5 pm until early 2010 at the Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo. Costs: $10 adults and $5 children. For more information contact 02 9217 0111. For access information phone (02) 9217 0222 or (02) 9217 0366 fax (02) 9217 0441, email edserv@phm.gov.au. A TTY device is available on (02) 9217 0136.