For Visitors with Sensitivities to Light and Sound

For our visitors with sensitivities to changes in light and sound, please be aware of the following gallery characteristics, activities, and mechanisms. Feel free to contact the Education Team if you have any questions or need assistance.

Sensory kits are available for check out at the welcome desk on the ground floor. The kits include headphones, sensory, items, and other helpful items. (Many thanks to the Mid-Michigan Autism Association for providing these kits!)

Green signs outside the galleries alert visitors about what they may encounter in gallery spaces, including audio and video.

Note: Most spaces in the Museum are brightly lighted. Lower-light galleries include the Hall of Evolution, Hall of World Cultures, and Heritage Hall.

Ground Floor

Ground Floor Gallery

• Bright lighting
• Transition from high light level in Ground Floor Gallery to lower light levels in Hall of Evolution and Hall of World Cultures
• 1 touch screen with video and audio (motion and user activated)
• Portable fans may be used during warm weather. Portable air purifiers are in use

Hall of Evolution (Fossil Exhibit)

• Low lighting
• Transition from high light level in Ground Floor Gallery to lower light level in Hall of Evolution
• 1 motion-sensitive screen playing audio and video
• Portable air purifiers are in use

Hall of World Cultures - Temporarily closed

• Low lighting
• Transition from high light level in Ground Floor Gallery to lower light level in Hall of World Cultures
• 3 motion-sensitive light fixtures - two make a loud “click” sound when the lights turn on and one is a soft "click"
• 1 touch screen containing video selections with audio (user activated)
• Portable fans may be used during warm weather. Portable air purifiers are in use

Floor 1

Entry Hall/Lobby

• Bright lighting

Main Gallery

• Bright lighting in some areas, dark areas in others
• Multiple screens with images and audio
• Multiple screens with images (no audio)
• Audio produced by motion sensors
• Portable fans may be used during warm weather. Portable air purifiers in use

Science On a Sphere Gallery

• Animated images, some with flashing elements
• Movies with audio
• Portable fans may be used during warm weather. Portable air purifiers in use

Collections Connections

• Multiple drawers that visitors can open and close - drawer glides produce “sliding” sound
• Portable fans may be used during warm weather. Portable air purifiers in use

"Learning to Look" Gallery

• Bright lighting
• Hands on objects

Heritage Hall

• 1 motion-sensitive screen that plays audio and video
• Elevator is near this gallery and sounds of elevator operation may be heard
• Portable fans may be used during warm weather. Portable air purifiers in use

Floor 2

Second Floor Landing

• Bright lighting
• Portable fans may be used during warm weather

Hall of Animal Diversity

• Bright lighting
• 1 touch screen containing video selections (with audio)
• Portable fans may be used during warm weather. Portable air purifiers in use

Habitat Hall

• Bright lighting
• Portable fans may be used during warm weather. Portable air purifiers in use

Art-Science Creativity Gallery

• Bright lighting

Evolution in Action

• Bright lighting
• 1 touch screen that plays video (no audio)
• 1 touch screens containing video selections with audio
• 1 touch screen containing interactive software (audio and video)
• 1 large touch screen containing interactive software (with audio). Software may produce ambient sound when not being used.
• Portable fans may be used during warm weather. Portable air purifiers in use

Auditorium

• Bright lighting (can be reduced)
• Sounds may be heard from Beaumont Tower carillon
• Sounds from 2 window air conditioners. Portable air purifiers in use