St. Petersburg Arts Alliance is pleased to announce the development of the SHINE Accessible Mural Tours Project, making SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival’s outdoor canvases accessible to all, regardless of ability or disability, through computer and mobile device accessed tours. This may be the only such program in the U.S. and it is sponsored by AARP.
The age friendly, self-guided virtual tours will be created to view St. Petersburg murals from the comfort of a home computer or with a hand-held device in their cars, walking on the sidewalks or even riding a bicycle. The virtual tours will be accessed from the SPAA website.
“AARP has been working hard to engage local partners on its age-friendly initiative designed to help make communities a better place to live for people of all ages and abilities,” said Michelle Cyr, AARP Tampa Bay Field Coordinator. “This project supports that concept by making it easier for everyone, no matter where they live or what limitations they might have, to enjoy St. Petersburg’s vibrant network of arts and culture.”
A narrated audio description of the piece, information about the work and artist background will be available for each mural. A printed brochure with a downloadable map will also be made available to the public. The map will feature 40 murals, including two commissioned by AARP Tampa Bay. The brochure will indicate designated handicap parking near the murals, and icons indicating barriers for safe mobility for those with canes, walkers, scooters, wheelchairs and strollers.
We expect the launch of the SHINE Accessible Mural Tours project will coincide with this year’s SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival, October 4-14, 2017.
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