Homestead National Monument of America's was recently honored with two different awards, both for its new audio description tour at the Homestead Heritage Center. The tour delivers a verbal transcript of all text and descriptions of all photographs and objects found in the Heritage Center's 24 indoor and outdoor exhibits so that visitors that are blind or visually impaired can experience them. This audio description tour is part of the monument's efforts to make its services and programs fully accessible to all Americans.
On Oct. 14, 2010, the monument received a National Park Service National Accessibility Achievement Award. The monument's award is for "Interpretive Design Project Achievement - Making Exhibits and Waysides Accessible." What most impressed the National Park Service's award committee was the staff's collaboration with members of the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired to create a tour that is multilayered so the user decides what they want to learn about.
On Oct. 30, 2010, the monument received the James D. Walker Memorial Award from the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska at the organization's state convention. In presenting the award Jeff Altman, from the National Federation of the Blind, stated, "The James D. Walker Award is presented to individuals and organizations outside the National Federation of the Blind who have demonstrated a very strong desire to improve the lives of the blind."
"We are very honored to receive both awards," said Park Superintendent Mark Engler. "We hope that the recognition helps get the word out that the monument has an excellent audio description tour that will assist visitors that are blind or visually impaired learn about the homesteading story."
Remember, Homestead National Monument of America has an exciting schedule of events planned for 2010. Keep up with the latest information by following us on Twitter (HomesteadNM) and Facebook (Homestead National Monument of America). You can also stop out to get a schedule of events. For information on the Monument's programs or activities, please call (402) 223-3514 or visit www.nps.gov/home.
Homestead National Monument of America is a unit of the National Park Service located four miles west of Beatrice, Nebraska. Current hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. Admission is free of charge. For additional information, please call 402-223-3514 or visit www.nps.gov/home.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
