Through Their Eyes: The Meaning of Heritage Site Experiences to Visitors who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Abstract

Little research exists that explores the meaning of a heritage site visit from the perspectives of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The purpose of this study was to investigate the meaning of heritage sites and the heritage site visit from the point of view of citizens who are blind or visually impaired. Forty informants, identified through network sampling, participated in in-depth telephone interviews. Analysis consisted of the constant comparison method. Among informants, a heritage site was typically thought of as a place of history where stories are presented. The meaning of a visit was characterized by the availability or unavailability of specific interpretive media, such as hands-on opportunities, site personnel, and audiovisual media; by visit companions; and by the built environment. Implications include the need for visitors who are blind or visually impaired as well as interpretive staff to be advocates, trainers, and facilitators to enhance heritage site visits.

Keywords

Blind visually impaired heritage sites heritage visitors visitor behavior

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