Access ABILITY exhibit at the Please Touch Museum

Today while exploring the Please Touch Museum, my son and I had the chance to explore the newest visiting exhibit, Access Ability, exploring the ability in disability. This exhibit will be at the museum until April 24, 2011 and is included with your admission to the museum. My son at age three was a bit young to completely interact with and understand all of this exhibit, but I was able to relate some of the things we saw there to our life. I have two dear friends who are disabled and rely on their wheelchairs to get around 99% of the time. My son is familiar with power wheelchairs because of them, so he was curious about the one on display. Kids can try out a wheelchair and maneuver through an obstacle course to get a feel for what it is like to use one.

There was a hand pedaled bike that kids (and adults) can try out. When pedaled, the video display in front of the bike moves based on the speed that is pedaled so that it looks like you are traveling a bike path. My son got a kick out of it, although he thought going “backwards” was really funny! The display explained that the bike was for people who are unable to use their legs to pedal, so that they too can ride a bike. I wasn’t able to capture a photo of it, but it was a great hands on experience for even my three year old to understand.

Another display explored how inventions to adapt everyday things to make them more useful for disabled people. There were a series of mini doors with different knobs/handles on them. The traditional round knob can be very difficult to impossible for someone who has trouble using their hands, or with a prosthetic. Door handles that are levers are much easier to use. There was an example of a lever door knob and a round door know with lever attached to it to show how to alter an already existing door knob. This was easy for my son to understand, as little hands also have trouble opening door knobs, but the lever was easy.

There was a display of prosthetic legs and arms along with photos of people using those devices to improve their functioning. I loved the photo of the little girl who had a prosthetic forearm and hand and was painting. Other exhibits included sign language and braille displays. This is a great opportunity for children to be exposed to disabilities, ways things are made more accessible, and to understand differences when meeting others who have disabilities. My son is sometimes afraid of my friends’ wheelchairs, so I used this opportunity for him to explore the exhibit at his own pace to help diminish his fear. Seeing an empty wheelchair was easier to explore than when someone is in it. It is a great way to answer kids curious questions to help them understand that there are all different types of people who function in all different ways, but we are all still people. I highly recommend checking out this exhibit when at the Please Touch Museum. It is just one of many amazing exhibits that help kids learn about their world.

The Please Touch Museum is located in historic Memorial Hall at 4231 Avenue of the Republic (formerly North Concourse Drive,) Philadelphia, PA 19131. It is is beautiful Fairmount Park, not too far from the Mann Music Center. Parking is available on site for $8, free with membership. Free street parking is also available along Avenue of the Republic. Admission to the museum is $15 per person, over age 1. Family memberships are available at different levels and seem to pay for themselves if you visit the museum about three times a year. From Montgomery County, it takes about 45 minutes to get there, depending upon traffic. Mondays are the least crowded days to visit, and most weekday afternoons seem to be quieter, if your kids can get by without a nap! The Please Taste Cafe offers many choices for lunches, or bring a bagged lunch with you and sit at one of the many tables sprinkled throughout the main level. Sitting by the carousel is one of my favorite spots for lunch!

Mama Diane