At the heart of Pittsburgh’s Children’s Museum, a vibrant new exhibit—“I AM WILD: A Charley Harper Exhibit”—invites children and families to immerse themselves in the bold, nature-inspired artwork of the iconic artist. The exhibit is a sensory-rich experience designed to spark creativity and a love for the natural world. But how accessible is it for all visitors, including those with disabilities?
To explore this question, Alexander Geht from Testa-Seat joined forces with Anne Fullenkamp (Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh), Ingrid Kranics, and Alyssa Tran, OTS (Chatham University) for a hands-on accessibility review. Together, we navigated the exhibit, discussing how it could be enhanced to create a truly inclusive space.
Making “I AM WILD” More Accessible
Accessibility isn’t just about ramps and wider doorways—it’s about ensuring that all children, regardless of ability, can fully experience the joy of play, discovery, and art. Our visit focused on:
✅ Physical Accessibility: Are there seating options for children who need supportive positioning? Are interactive elements within reach for wheelchair users?✅ Sensory Considerations: How does the exhibit accommodate children with sensory sensitivities? Could noise levels or lighting be adjusted for comfort?✅ Cognitive & Communicative Accessibility: Are there multiple ways to engage with the exhibit, such as tactile elements, audio descriptions, or visual supports?
Through hands-on exploration and discussion, we identified ways to make the exhibit more welcoming for all—and that’s where the broader Pittsburgh accessibility community comes in!
Calling on 412AbilityTech.org: Let’s Make This Even Better!
Our next step is to invite the 412AbilityTech.org community to collaborate on this initiative. By bringing together accessibility advocates, adaptive technology experts, and individuals with lived experience, we can help the Children’s Museum implement meaningful changes.
We encourage families, therapists, and tech innovators to visit the exhibit and share their insights. Your feedback is invaluable!
📌 How to Get Involved:
Visit the exhibit in January or February 2025 and complete the accessibility survey.
Scan the QR code at the exhibit to provide feedback.
Connect with Alyssa Tran (alyssa.tran@chatham.edu) to learn more about the research efforts.
The Museum’s Commitment to Inclusion
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is actively working to enhance accessibility and inclusion. Through their collaboration with Chatham University’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program, they’re collecting real-world data on how visitors interact with exhibits—ensuring that future designs are even more inclusive.
This commitment to learning and improving is what makes this partnership so powerful. With ongoing input from the community, we can create museum spaces where every child—regardless of ability—can explore, play, and be wild.
Join the Movement!
Let’s work together to ensure that Pittsburgh’s cultural spaces are not just accessible, but truly inclusive. Whether you’re a parent, a therapist, an adaptive tech expert, or simply an advocate for accessibility, your voice matters.
Will you join us in making “I AM WILD” a model for inclusive museum experiences?
🎨🌿♿ Come visit, explore, and share your insights—together, we can make a difference!
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