Using Universal Design to Improve the Visitor Experience at the Georgia Aquarium

Abstract

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires institutions, like aquariums, to comply with federally mandated minimums for accommodating visitors with different needs. However, these minimum requirements fall short in providing guidelines on how to provide an equitable experience for these visitors in the immersive and often interactive spaces inside an aquarium exhibit. The Universal Design (UD) approach is one way to provide a means of developing exhibits that are functional, educational, entertaining, and aesthetically pleasing for a wider audience. By using UD and human factors principles, a group of undergraduate and graduate students worked with the Georgia Aquarium Education staff to propose solutions for redesigning the African Penguin Exhibit. The designs aim to improve visitor traffic flow, alleviate crowding, enhance educational engagement, and increase safety for all patrons, regardless of their physical and cognitive abilities.