At the La Rochelle Natural History Museum, tours designed for the visually impaired

A huge sperm whale skeleton faces Muriel Rosanis. This visitor to the Natural History Museum of La Rochelle is far from imagining that he is at least three times his size because it is with his hands only that this visually impaired person perceives the cetacean. “I’ll let you discover, try to go from the sides, to the right and to the left, you will realize the size”, the guide who accompanies him whispers to him. Fingers covered with latex gloves, she apprehends every roughness, every detail.

Muriel Rosanis likes these visits specifically intended for the blind and visually impaired. Visits a little too rare she tells us. “It’s always very interesting and rewarding, she enthuses. For people like us it is an incredible plus “. An opinion shared by Serge Lacotte, also visually impaired and president of the local branch of the Valentin Haüy association, which regularly organizes outings for its members.

“It’s part of what is called social inclusion, he believes. For the blind, touching is like having eyes at their fingertips. ”

The La Rochelle Natural History Museum is suitable for all types of disabilities. Each exhibition space is accessible to people in wheelchairs, but not only. “The idea that museums are for everyone is important to us, indicates Deputy Director Adeline Aumont. We offer tours for the visually impaired, for the hearing impaired and we also have adapted content for the intellectually disabled. “

Initiatives to multiply would tell you Muriel Rosanis. However, Charente-Maritime is a good student: it is the department of France that has the most sites labeled tourism and disability.