The Estonian Open Air Museum received recognition from the Estonian Blind Union for the "Act of the Year 2024." We were honored for the descriptive translations of farmstead complexes and tactile farmyard maps, which help visually impaired visitors gain a more comprehensive understanding of rural architecture and rural life. The work that was recognized as deserving of the "Act of the Year" award was led by Anneli Banner, the head of the museum's exhibition department, with the descriptive translations created by Mirja Räpp and Katriin Reinsoo, and the tactile farmyard maps developed in collaboration with 3DKoda.
In addition to us, recognition was also awarded to the Tallinn Culture and Sports Department, Jaan Saviir, and OÜ AudioCAT.
Visually impaired visitors can request the maps from the museum's ticket office, and the descriptive translations are available on the museum's website.
In addition to the recognized work, the Estonian Open Air Museum has also made efforts to facilitate the visit journey of visually impaired individuals. A tactile guiding path has been marked on the floor of the museum's ticket and handicraft shop building, and a tactile map of the entire territory is currently being prepared. A route suitable for visitors with mobility impairments has also been described, and virtual tours are in development for buildings that are inaccessible to visitors with mobility challenges.