Revised_-_03_02_Digital_Media_Production_0_1_Audio_Description_2022_09_06_0003.pdf

DIVISION 03 DIGITAL MEDIA | SECTION 03 02 DIGITAL MEDIA - PRODUCTION | 03 02 AV Production Document

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION | Hoover Dam Visitor Center 200

September 6, 2022

0.1 Accessible Audio Description

Key Message

Not applicable.

Visitor Experience Description

At reception, staff make visitors aware of all the audio description application available for visitors to download to their phones. If they do not have their own device, a pre-loaded device can be loaned to them. Through the application, visitors can access all the exhibit descriptions. They can explore a menu or wait until reaching each exhibit for a notification to prompt the relevant content.

Media Audio Description System

Format Available for download to visitor’s personal devices, as well as several devices available to borrow from reception. See Section 03 03 Digital Media Equipment for the exact devices and headphones specified.

Activation Location triggered notifications

Audio Yes

Length Each segment under 3 min

Network Public access VLAN required, separate from exhibit management network

Program Production Considerations

• Sub-menus should contain a limited number of items to allow visitors to skim through content

• Audio signals will be used to indicate the end of each description segment

• Provide basic navigation information

• Electronic programs need synchronous audio descriptions

• Production in English and Spanish, with up to 3 additional languages TBD

• See NPS specs for more detailed descriptions of production specifications

• Operations details including the process of borrowing a device is TBD

STAIR

S5

ELEVATOR

E4

ELEVATOR

E1 & E2

WOMEN

ELECTRICAL

JANITOR

EXHIBIT

LOBBY

GALLERY

RECEPTION

TOURTOUR

EXIT

U P

DN

0" AFF

6" AFF

0"

AFF

0"

AFF

6" AFF

0" AFF

0" AFF

UP

U P

D N

S L O P E

.7

U P

A

VESTIBULE

MEN

FOYER

EXHIBITEXHIBIT

ENTRY

SLOPE4.75%

B1

B6

B6.2

B6.4

B6.6

B6.8

B7

B7.2

B7.4

B7.6

B8

B8.2

B8.4

B8.6

B8.8

B7.8

B5.8

B5.6

B5.4

B5.2 B4.8

B4.6

B4.4

B4.2

B4

B3.8

B3.6

B3.4

B3.2

B2

B5

AB1

AB2

A2

A3

A4A5

A6

A7

A8 A1

B3

B1.2

B1.4

B1.6

B1.8

B2.2

B2.4

B2.6

HOOVER DAM VISITOR CENTER - ORIENTATION PLAN

Scale: 1/8" = 1'-0"3

0 10 20 30 40 50 FT

DIVISION 03 DIGITAL MEDIA | SECTION 03 02 DIGITAL MEDIA - PRODUCTION | 03 02 AV Production Document

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION | Hoover Dam Visitor Center 201

September 6, 2022

0.1 Accessible Audio Description

Information Hierarchy

There are various levels to the proposed audio description system. Visitors navigate through these layers of content with an intuitive audio interface that includes a quick onboarding sequence to help visitors make the most of this audio description.

Main Menu / Table of Contents

• Lists all the exhibits in the visitor center

Exhibit title (location triggered)

• Audio describes the overall scene or setting, visual characteristics, and choices (content teaser)

• Provides an exhibit area title for visitors to determine their interest in a particular area. If interested, they can continue to the next level of the audio description. The audio description system is coordinated with physical exhibits, notifying visitors when they approach a new area

• Upon exit of each section, the system provides general wayfinding/ orientation

Media Sub-Menu

• Audio describes a click-through list of individual exhibit media/experiences including the headers of each story, any artifacts or images, and electronic programs. Visitors can navigate through and choose from this list to delve further into each.

• Delivers an overview of the media, allowing visually-impaired visitors to skim through the exhibit before deciding what to explore in-depth. Once one is selected, the media/experience is described.

Media Audio Description

• The description depends on the type of item selected from the sub-menu:

» Stories: the text from the graphic panel is read to the visitor, if there is an associated artifact or image, it is described.

» Artifacts or images: the artifacts or images that are not associated with a story are listed in the sub-menu and described upon selection, including any label text like image captions or credits.

» Linear Media: in the exhibit context, audio descriptions of videos will be synced to this description system. Any linear media that is used to provide thematic effects will be included in the Exhibit Experience level description.

» Interactive Media: an overview of the interaction and navigation, as well as the accessible, non-linear description of the content within. The audio description for Interactive Media exhibits are delivered synchronous to the content visible to visitors on screen/through projection.

DIVISION 03 DIGITAL MEDIA | SECTION 03 02 DIGITAL MEDIA - PRODUCTION | 03 02 AV Production Document

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION | Hoover Dam Visitor Center 202

September 6, 2022

STAIR

S5

ELEVATOR

E4

ELEVATOR

E1 & E2

WOMEN

ELECTRICAL

JANITOR

EXHIBIT

LOBBY

GALLERY

RECEPTION

TOURTOUR

EXIT

U P

DN

0" AFF

6" AFF

0"

AFF

0"

AFF

6" AFF

0" AFF

0" AFF

UP

U P

D N

S L O P E

.7

U P

A

VESTIBULE

MEN

FOYER

EXHIBITEXHIBIT

ENTRY

SLOPE4.75%

B1

B6

B6.2

B6.4

B6.6

B6.8

B7

B7.2

B7.4

B7.6

B8

B8.2

B8.4

B8.6

B8.8

B7.8

B5.8

B5.6

B5.4

B5.2 B4.8

B4.6

B4.4

B4.2

B4

B3.8

B3.6

B3.4

B3.2

B2

B5

AB1

AB2

A2

A3

A4A5

A6

A7

A8 A1

B3

B1.2

B1.4

B1.6

B1.8

B2.2

B2.4

B2.6

HOOVER DAM VISITOR CENTER - ORIENTATION PLAN

Scale: 1/8" = 1'-0"3

0 10 20 30 40 50 FT

Information Architecture

The following list represents the Table of Contents of the Audio Description System. Recognizing that the development and fabrication of an exhibit benefits from a certain naming conventions and organization that is different to the structure of information as seen from a visitor, this list is similar though not identical to the exhibit list and schedules elsewhere. The names are also temporary working names.

1. Feature Wall

2. Introduction

3. Harnessing the River

4. Hoover as Negotiator

5. Passageway Experience

6. Joe McGee

7. Six Companies

8. Pre-Construction / Diversion Tunnels

9. Design and Engineering

10. Materials and Finishes

11. Prepping the Site / Highscalers

12. Concrete Pour

13. Construction Model

14. Rubble Wall

15. Dam Wall Timeline Projection

16. A Day on the Job

17. Ragtown

18. Boulder City

19. Inside the Dam

20. Turbine

21. Water Management

22. Exit Displays

0.1 Accessible Audio Description

DIVISION 03 DIGITAL MEDIA | SECTION 03 02 DIGITAL MEDIA - PRODUCTION | 03 02 AV Production Document

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION | Hoover Dam Visitor Center 203

September 6, 2022

Production

Traditionally, audio description is done after the exhibits are installed, so the audio description can focus as much on the setting (what you see, context, etc.)

as on the content (messages, instructions). However, this project is benefiting from consulting with audio description experts in earlier stages, including the current phase of design. Consultation with accessibility experts will also be prioritized.

Audio description will be produced by specialists, with a typical scope that includes:

• Writing specific scripts that are based on the final scope of installed exhibits and their associated content.

• Selecting and recording voice talent.

» If not, text-to-speech programs would be used to develop the audio.

• Production of audio interface / navigation.

• of production software with location sensing technology (beacons) that will be installed at each specified exhibit.

0.1 Accessible Audio Description

Image for reference only