DAYTON -- The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is expanding its offerings to ensure that all visitors have the opportunity to engage with aviation history and the legacy of the U.S. Air Force. New features include the installation of Braille signage throughout the museum, Sign Language Interpreted Tours, and specialized Touch Tours.
Sign Language Interpreted Tours Now Available
In collaboration with Sinclair Community College’s Interpreter Education Program Practicum course (federal endorsement not implied), the museum will offer American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted tours on Saturday, March 22, 2025, and Saturday, April 26, 2025. These tours provide additional options for visitors who use ASL, ensuring greater access to the stories and history preserved within the museum’s galleries.
In addition to in-person ASL tours, the museum’s Education Division has also incorporated sign language interpretation into its virtual Read Across America videos. These videos, available to classrooms that register on the museum’s website, allow students to engage with aviation-themed stories in an inclusive and accessible way. The videos will remain available through the end of March.
Jennifer Hess, a Museum Specialist who led the effort to bring Sinclair Community College into this initiative, emphasized the importance of these new offerings: "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."
New Braille Signage Expands Visitor Engagement
To further enhance accessibility, the museum has installed more than 80 Braille and 3D tactile displays, with plans to expand to 91 in the near future. These displays provide blind and visually impaired visitors with detailed information about specific aircraft, including their history and technical specifications, allowing for a more independent and immersive museum experience.
Bob Pinizzotto, the museum volunteer leading this effort, explained: “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.”
The Braille signage initiative is the result of collaboration with the Ohio State School for the Blind, the Montgomery County Education Service Center, and the American Printing House for the Blind (federal endorsement not implied). These groups helped ensure the plaques meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards while maintaining durability for a museum environment.
The signage is also paired with 3D models crafted using advanced stereolithography techniques, making key aircraft more tangible for visitors with visual impairments. The Xenia Public Library SPARKS Center Technology Group provided the equipment and expertise to help create the 3D scans, guiding the process of converting them into a format suitable for printing. Their support enabled the museum to develop durable, high-quality models that enhance the visitor experience.
The museum’s Restoration and Exhibits teams have played a critical role in developing and installing these features. Jason Davis, a member of the Restoration Division, identified a pliable, kid-friendly material for the 3D models, while Exhibits specialists and volunteers continue assembling and mounting displays throughout the galleries.
Touch Tours Provide Hands-On Exploration of Air Force History
The museum also offers guided Touch Tours designed to provide blind and visually impaired visitors with a hands-on experience of select exhibits. These tours allow participants to explore select exhibits through touch, offering a new way to experience the museum’s collection.
Jason Riley, a recent Touch Tour participant, shared his enthusiasm: “Having the opportunity to experience these exhibits through touch was incredible. It allowed me to connect with aviation history in a completely new way.”
By offering these resources, the museum is not only expanding accessibility but also strengthening its mission to share the legacy of Air Force innovation and airpower with all visitors.
For more information about these accessibility features and available tours at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, visit https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Education/Special-Needs/.
About the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force:
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world’s largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year thousands of visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.
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NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, please contact Cheryl Prichard at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Division at (937) 255-1283.