LOUISVILLE, KY / AGILITYPR.NEWS / January 23, 2024 / American Printing House for the Blind (APH) is pleased to be a recipient of a $200,000 pledge from HumanWare, a division of EssilorLuxottica, for The Dot Experience. HumanWare, a division of EssilorLuxottica, will serve as the “tech inclusion sponsor,” as tech is an essential gateway to inclusion, and with the right tools and technology anything is possible, for everyone. That theme will thread throughout the attraction’s exhibits and interactive displays.

“Building The Dot Experience is a monumental undertaking that wouldn’t happen without generous support from partners like HumanWare, a division of EssilorLuxottica,” said Craig Meador, Ed.D., APH President. “This pledge is proof that they are more than just a business partner, and they are committed to joining us in providing a first-class destination that will properly showcase the lived experiences of individuals who are blind or low vision.”

The Dot Experience will lead to a more open-minded society that includes people with disabilities more fully in the workforce, our schools and communities through authentic first-person stories that arm visitors with the insight and interest to make change happen in the world.

“HumanWare is thrilled to be a part of this project as it completely aligns with our human-centered approach to innovation, and our company’s commitment to solutions that allow individuals to live independently and maintain their autonomy,” says Bruce Miles, General Manager Professional Solutions EssilorLuxottica Canada and Head of HumanWare. “This provides a perfect way to showcase the HumanWare and APH collaboration as a united front for the role of technology in ensuring freedom and equity.”

The Dot Experience name pays homage to APH’s history and commitment to braille, a series of six dots that in combination, form letters, numbers, music, and words, and serve as the code for communication and lifelong literacy for individuals who are blind.

The Dot Experience brings APH stories and more to life on a world stage. Museums have traditionally been structured in a way that limits the experience and enjoyment of visitors with disabilities, and while much work has been done to open doors, many of these efforts are selective or pocketed to one audience or one area of a museum.

The Dot Experience will focus on inclusion, accessibility, and innovation embracing the expression “nothing about us without us” in a comprehensive way – through first-person stories of blind and low vision individuals, and through intentional involvement of the blindness community at every level of the project.

Every aspect of The Dot Experience is being planned with accessibility in mind. To help bring the vision to life, APH is working with Solid Light, a nationally recognized design-build firm, located in Louisville and with Prime Access Consulting (PAC), inclusive design consultants. The Dot Experience will open in 2025.

For additional information, renderings, and more, download our Groundbreaking Media Kit at APH.org.

The Dot Experience Project:

• The Dot Experience construction is $22 million, which includes exhibits.
• The Dot Experience Museum will be 28,000 square feet. This is nearly five times the size of the existing Museum. This will create a new “front door and attraction” for APH.
• APH is working to raise $15 million in contributed funds from corporate, individual, and philanthropic sources toward the museum.
• All additional funds for this expansion will come from APH’s endowment and investments.

About HumanWare

For 35 years, HumanWare’s inspirational vision has resulted in the development of more than 50 highly intuitive and intelligent solutions that change the lives of people living with visual impairment and vision loss. Whether at home, at work or in the classroom, our technology has helped more than 1 million people worldwide to see things differently and live independently. Founded in 1988, HumanWare is a Canadian-based company, part of the EssilorLuxottica group since 2013. Recognized as an industry leader, our mission is to develop solutions enabling people living with a visual impairment and vision loss to develop their potential and maintain their autonomy. Through the dedication of our employees and partners in North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia and a worldwide distribution network, we improve the quality of life for our customers by promoting literacy, inclusion, and accessibility. About HumanWare.

About the American Printing House for the Blind

The American Printing House for the Blind is a nonprofit organization whose mission is empowering people who are blind or low vision by providing accessible and innovative products, materials, and services for lifelong success. The American Printing House is located at 1839 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY. For additional information, please visit www.aph.org. Follow on Facebook and on X (formerly known as Twitter).