COSI and EnChroma Launch New Program to Help Guests with Color Blindness Experience Color in a New Way
2024年7月15日 - 9:00PM
ビジネスワイヤ(英語)
COSI is the First Destination in Columbus to
Champion ‘Color Accessibility’ for Guests
The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) is starting a new
partnership with EnChroma® to enhance color accessibility for
visiting guests who are color blind. Starting July 10, COSI will
make 12 pairs of special EnChroma glasses available for those who
experience red-green colorblindness to borrow at no cost.
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While people with normal color vision see over one million
shades of color, those with red-green Color Vision Deficiency (CVD)
are estimated to see only about 10% of hues and shades. As a
result, many colors can appear dull, muted, washed out and
indistinguishable; purple looks blue, red seems brown, gray appears
pink, and green and yellow can look similar.
EnChroma’s patented lens technology is engineered with special
optical filters that help people with red-green color blindness see
an expanded range of clear, vibrant colors. A study by scientists
at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio illustrated
the benefits of the glasses. EnChroma glasses are not a cure for
color blindness and work for approximately 80% of people with
red-green colorblindness. Results and reaction times vary.
“COSI takes pride in proving that Science is for Everyone in all
its forms. Through our partnership with EnChroma, we continue to
offer enriching experiences that transcend traditional barriers,”
said Katherine Davis, manager of special education experiences and
strategies at COSI. “By bringing solutions like EnChroma's color
vision technology, we can make science, technology, engineering,
arts, and mathematics (STEAM) more inclusive and accessible to a
much broader audience.”
“With over 300 interactive experiences for guests to explore,
including ‘The Nature of Color’ exhibition, COSI truly inspires
interest in science, technology, engineering, art and math,” said
Erik Ritchie, CEO of EnChroma. “By being the first museum in
Columbus to make EnChroma glasses available to its guests who are
colorblind, COSI continues to demonstrate its commitment to
inclusion and accessibility.”
One in 12 men (8%) and one in 200 women (0.5%) are color blind.
With over two million people visiting COSI annually, approximately
85,000 will be color blind. Among the 2.1 million residents in the
Columbus metropolitan area roughly 91,000 are color blind; nearly
500,00 in the state of Ohio; 13 million in the US; and 350 million
worldwide.
Founded in 1964 and celebrating 60 years, COSI makes science
real and relevant for learners of all ages. Whether it is through
fun hands-on experiences, creative media programming, distribution
of science kits locally and around the globe or by hosting engaging
community events and programs that promote accessibility and
inclusivity, COSI demonstrates that “Science is Everywhere and for
Everyone™.” In this spirit of inclusivity, COSI joins over 100
other museums worldwide in supporting guests with color vision
needs by offering EnChroma glasses on loan at no charge. To see
images of colorful exhibits at COSI as they appear to the color
blind, click here.
EnChroma colorblind glasses can be borrowed at COSI’s main
atrium desk when the museum is open, and the glasses can help 80%
of people with deuteranomaly or protanomaly types of red-green
color blindness.
Media Link Only: To download
high quality images and videos from guests using EnChroma Glasses,
please click here. Please credit all assets, “Courtesy of
COSI.”
About COSI
COSI, voted the “#1 Science Museum in the Country” by USA
Today’s 10Best for four consecutive years (2020-2023), is an
esteemed science center that has delighted Central Ohio with all
things science for 60 years, inspiring interest in science,
technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) topics and
delivering experiential, “hands-on” learning opportunities. COSI
has been awarded five Emmys for its effective science communication
television and video productions impacting science literacy for
people of all ages. As a trusted educational resource for families,
schools and community partners, COSI is an essential element of our
regional and national community, engaging millions of people
annually through onsite, offsite and online experiences. Learn more
at www.cosi.org.
About EnChroma
Based in Berkeley, Calif., EnChroma produces leading-edge
eyewear for color blindness and low vision, and other solutions for
color vision, sold online and through Authorized Retailers
worldwide. Invented in 2010, EnChroma’s patented eyewear for color
blindness combines the latest in color perception, neuroscience and
lens innovation to improve the lives of people with Color Vision
Deficiency around the world. EnChroma received an SBIR grant from
the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It earned the 2020
Innovation Award in Life Sciences from the Bay Area’s East Bay
Economic Development Alliance. For more information call
+1-510-497-0048 or visit enchroma.com.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240715050768/en/
Media: COSI Kristy Williams Director of Communications
kwilliams@cosi.org 317.518.6860
EnChroma Kent Streeb Vice President of Communications and
Partnerships kent@enchroma.com 530.908.9225