November 13, 2024
Clovernook Center is improving access to the arts through accessibility audits with organizations regionally and around the country.
“These audits help us provide candid feedback on current services and changes that would be useful to someone with visual impairments,” said Sam Foulkes, director of braille production and accessible innovation. “Our staff members who are blind or visually impaired are part of our audit team and provide extremely useful feedback.”
Many arts and cultural organizations want to improve accessibility — they recognize there are barriers that prevent people who are blind or visually impaired from experiencing the arts.
Accessibility audits can take one of two forms. “In some cases, we walk the space with staff from the arts organization,” Foulkes said. “In other cases, we conduct a ‘secret shopper’ audit where the staff and other patrons aren’t aware we are there collecting data and making observations.”
In 2024, Clovernook Center partnered with a dozen local organizations including the Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Clovernook also provides accessibility consultation and materials production for organizations nationwide.
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