News Release

Wright Brothers National Memorial earns accessibility award for audio description programs

Date: July 5, 2022
Contact: Scott Babinowich, 252-475-9055

Tactile model of the 1903 Wright Flyer that sits in the Flight Room of the Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center.

NPS Photo

MANTEO, N.C. — The American Council of the Blind announced on July 4 that Wright Brothers National Memorial was awarded the 2022 Achievement in Audio Description Award in the Visual Art/Museums/Visitor Centers/Organization category.

Accessible exhibits were installed in the National Historic Landmark visitor center at Wright Brothers National Memorial in 2018. The exhibits were designed with a heavy emphasis on universally accessible experiences, including audio description, Braille brochures, tactile models, manipulative interactive exhibits and expanded audio description of the memorial grounds through the National Park Service Mobile App.

According to the American Council of the Blind, achievement awards are given to individuals and/or organizations for outstanding contributions to the establishment and/or continued development of significant audio description programs. “Audio description uses words that are succinct, vivid and imaginative to convey visual images from television, film, DVDs, theater, museums and many other settings,” Dan Spoone, president of the American Council of the Blind. “The organizations and individuals honored with these awards are among the leaders in description.”

“While developing new exhibits for Wright Brothers National Memorial’s visitor center, National Park Service staff, both past and present, worked diligently to make them accessible and inclusive,” said David Hallac, superintendent, National Parks of Eastern North Carolina. “Thanks to their hard work, the park received this prestigious award.”

Learn more about accessibility at Wright Brothers National Memorial at: https://www.nps.gov/wrbr/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.