DAYTON, Ohio — The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force announced it's expanding options to ensure all visitors can learn more about aviation history. 

What You Need To Know

  • The museum will offer two dates for the Sign Language Tours, which will be on Saturday, March 22 and Saturday, April 26

  • There have been more than 80 Braille signage installations, and the museum hopes to increase it in the future

  • There will also be Touch Tours for select exhibits

The new features include Braille signage throughout the museum, Sign Language Interpreted Tours and Touch Tours.

The Sign Language Tours are in partnership with Sinclair Community College’s Interpreter Education Program Practicum course. Interpreters will guide guests on tours on Saturday, March 22 and Saturday, April 26. 

In addition to the tours, the museum’s Education Division also incorporated sign language interpretation into its virtual Read Across America videos. The videos are available for classrooms that register on the museum’s website by clicking here. These videos will be available through the end of March.

“By expanding our ASL programming both in-person and online, we are making Air Force history and STEM education more accessible to a broader audience. Partnering with Sinclair Community College has been invaluable in helping us reach more visitors and students in meaningful ways,” said Jennifer Hess, a Museum Specialist who led the effort, in a release.

The museum has also installed more than 80 Braille and 3-D tactile displays. It plans to expand to 91, eventually. These displays will help individuals who are blind or visually implied receive detailed information about the history of an aircraft, technical specifications and more.

“We have worked with experts and educators to develop these displays, ensuring they provide a meaningful experience for visitors. This is a valuable addition that allows more people to connect with the history preserved here and appreciate the legacy of the Airmen who defended our nation,” said Bob Pinizzotto, a museum volunteer leading this effort, in a release.

The Braille signage is in partnership with the Ohio State School for the Blind, the Montgomery County Education Service Center and the American Printing House for the Blind. 

The 3D models were created using stereolithography techniques, which helped make aircraft more tangible. The Xenia Public Library SPARKS Center Technology Group provided the equipment and the knowledge to help create the 3D scans, the museum said. 

To further expand accessibility friendly options, the Touch Tours will help give a hands-on experience of select exhibits for those who are blind or visually impaired. 

“Having the opportunity to experience these exhibits through touch was incredible. It allowed me to connect with aviation history in a completely new way” said Jason Riley, a recent Touch Tour participant, in a release.

More information about accessibility features can be found here.