evALLution: making basic evolution concepts accessible to people with visual impairment through a multisensory tree of life

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Rafael Botelho¹  Daniela Rato¹  Tiago Carrilho¹  Gonçalo Ayala-Botto¹  Iolanda Domingues²  Alexandra de Sousa²  Marisa Xavier³  Maria Campelo⁴  Telma G. Laurentino⁵  Fabrizia Ronco⁵  Carlota Pinheiro⁶  Francisco Pina-Martins⁶  Duarte Balata⁶  Marta Dias⁶  Bruno Penha⁶  Margarida Matos⁶  Leonor R. Rodrigues⁶ 

[1] Centro Pedagógico Do Jardim Zoológico de Lisboa;College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter;Mariza Xavier Design;Tutisfore;Zoology, University of Basel;cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa);

关键词: Blind;    Visual impairment;    Evolution;    Multi-sensory;    Touch;    Inclusive outreach;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12052-021-00143-1

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background People with visual impairment have benefitted from recent developments of assistive technology that aim to decrease socio-economic inequality. However, access to post-secondary education is still extremelly challenging, especially for scientific areas. The under representation of people with visual impairment in the evolution research community is connected with the vision-based communication of evolutionary biology knowledge and the accompanying lack of multisensory alternatives for learning. Results Here, we describe the development of an inclusive outreach activity based on a multisensory phylogeny representing 20 taxonomic groups. We provide a tool kit of materials and ideas that allow both the replication of this activity and the adaptation of others, to include people with visual impairment. Furthermore, we provide activity evaluation data, a discussion of the lessons learned and an inclusive description of all figures and visual data presented. The presented baseline data show that people with visual impairment indeed have lack of access to education but are interested in and apt to understand evolutionary biology concepts and predict evolutionary change when education is inclusive. Conclusions We show that, with creative investment, basic evolutionary knowledge is perfectly possible to be transmitted through multisensory activities, which everyone can benefit from. Ultimately, we hope this case study will provide a baseline for future initiatives and a more inclusive outreach community.

【 授权许可】

Unknown