Logo
ScienceStack
Table of Contents
Fetching ...
Sign In

Astroaccesible: A multi-messenger outreach for a multi-messenger science

Enrique Pérez-Montero

TL;DR

Astroaccesible addresses the barrier that visual-centric astronomy content poses to blind and visually impaired audiences by adopting a multi-sensory, multi-messenger outreach framework. The project leverages images accessible formats, tactile models, sonifications, and audio descriptions within a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach to disseminate astronomy across electromagnetic and particle astronomy. It demonstrates that inclusion benefits not only BVI individuals but the broader public, enhances motivation and creativity, and can help diversify scientific communities. The work provides concrete methods, collaborations (e.g., ONCE), and educational resources that can be adopted by other educators to promote accessible science communication.

Abstract

This contribution summarizes the main activities and objectives of the outreach project Astroaccesible, whose main aim is to carry the teaching and diffusion of astronomy among all kinds of collectives, focusing on blind and visually impaired (BVI) people. This project is led by a blind astronomer and aims to use a variety of resources based on different sensory channels, avoiding limiting the transmission of concepts to visual perception. This principle favors inclusion and benefits everyone, as the information is not presented using just one channel. This strategy is especially convenient for the nowadays typical data acquisition, where a variety of sources of information, not solely based on the collection of different spectral domains of electromagnetic radiation, is used. Moreover, the study of new multi-messenger astronomy could be much better understood using a multi-messenger teaching approach, favoring inclusion, motivation, and creativity.

Astroaccesible: A multi-messenger outreach for a multi-messenger science

TL;DR

Astroaccesible addresses the barrier that visual-centric astronomy content poses to blind and visually impaired audiences by adopting a multi-sensory, multi-messenger outreach framework. The project leverages images accessible formats, tactile models, sonifications, and audio descriptions within a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach to disseminate astronomy across electromagnetic and particle astronomy. It demonstrates that inclusion benefits not only BVI individuals but the broader public, enhances motivation and creativity, and can help diversify scientific communities. The work provides concrete methods, collaborations (e.g., ONCE), and educational resources that can be adopted by other educators to promote accessible science communication.

Abstract

This contribution summarizes the main activities and objectives of the outreach project Astroaccesible, whose main aim is to carry the teaching and diffusion of astronomy among all kinds of collectives, focusing on blind and visually impaired (BVI) people. This project is led by a blind astronomer and aims to use a variety of resources based on different sensory channels, avoiding limiting the transmission of concepts to visual perception. This principle favors inclusion and benefits everyone, as the information is not presented using just one channel. This strategy is especially convenient for the nowadays typical data acquisition, where a variety of sources of information, not solely based on the collection of different spectral domains of electromagnetic radiation, is used. Moreover, the study of new multi-messenger astronomy could be much better understood using a multi-messenger teaching approach, favoring inclusion, motivation, and creativity.
Paper Structure (8 sections, 4 figures)

This paper contains 8 sections, 4 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. The inclusive aspect of the project Astroaccesible
  3. A multi-messenger approach
  4. An inclusive use of images
  5. Use of tactile material
  6. Using Sonifications
  7. Audio descriptions: Using language as an additional window
  8. Summary and conclusions

Figures (4)

  • Figure 1: Several sketches representing the concepts (from left to right) of exclusion, segregation, integration, and inclusion.
  • Figure 2: Distorted images of the spiral galaxy M51 to show how an individual with a visual impairment can perceive it. From left to right and from up to down: a) loss of visual field, b) patched vision, c) loss of central vision, d) night blindness, e) photophobia, and f) loss of visual acuity. These plots were done thanks to the application VR Tengo baja visió developed by the association Begisare.
  • Figure 3: Two examples of models used in the activities of Astroaccesible. Left: A model of the night sky as seen from the northern hemisphere. Rigt: A model of the Sun, with its different inner layers.
  • Figure 4: Two snapshots of animations developed within the project Cosmonic, sonifying plots. Left: LIght curve of the transit of the exoplanet HATP7. Right: Predicted and observed radial stellar velocity curve around the disk of the spiral disk M33 to explore the effect of the presence of a dark matter halo.