Going to the museum is a wonderful experience that enables us to see all the beauty of the world. With our eyes, we are able to see every single detail in a work of art. However, individuals who are visually impaired cannot see the work of art clearly. The blind cannot see the work of art at all. Ellen Greenfield, who is a volunteer at the Newark Museum, believes that all individuals should be able to experience the wonders of art. After hearing her husband, Dr. Donald Greenfield, who is an ophthalmologist at Hudson Eye Physicians in Millburn, New Jersey, talk about visually impaired individuals who love to attend museums; she became inspired and decided to set up accessibility tours.
Mrs. Greenfield, who helps others understand art, is a Docent, which is the French word for tour guide teacher. At the Newark Museum, there are 50 Docents who are all volunteers. So far there have been two tours for blind and visually impaired individuals.
“In a tour for sighted individuals, we normally move from one gallery to another,” Greenfield said. “In a tour for the blind and visually impaired, the Docent brings the objects to the individuals so they get a sense of touch.
Some members of Beyond the Eyes, a multicultural group for blind and visually impaired individuals, attended the second tour. Mrs. Greenfield bought in a Yoruba, a crown used in Nigeria, from her own personal collection. She explained that the crown represents the wisdom of older women. Pat Wessel, who is another Docent, also participated in the second tour. She bought in beads, which are made and used by many cultures in Africa. Mrs. Greenfield said that they had to bring in the objects because individuals are not allowed to touch art in the museum.
“Even though the blind and visually impaired have some limitations, they are minor,” she said. “The fact that they have these limitations opens up new doors for experiencing the museum.”
According to Greenfield, it is important for people to get involved in these accessibility tours so others can have a wonderful experience. She said Diane Marxe lent her a bronze sculpture for a tour, which contained two pieces. The blind and visually impaired were able to learn about the statue by feeling it and putting it back together.
Mrs. Greenfield said that the second tour was successful, but she hopes that more people will attend in the future. She also thinks that the services for the visually impaired and the elderly need to be improved. “I wish we had a grant so we could have a brochure in large print to promote all museum events for senior citizens and visually impaired individuals,” she said.
Like the Newark Museum, the Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Modern Art also have accessibility tours. For more information about tours at the Newark Museum, individuals should make reservations and call the following number: (973) 596-6613
“Blind and visually impaired individuals teach me,” Greenfield said. “Sighted individuals shut out certain things, but the blind and visually impaired feel something deeper.”
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