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This is an exhibit promoting low vision awareness, featuring an interactive touchscreen program.
The general public.
NEI is charged by Congress with protecting and prolonging the vision of the American people. It enlisted Westat’s support in a multiyear public outreach and education campaign to increase awareness of low vision – a condition that affects approximately 14 million people in the United States.
Westat developed and manages THE EYE SITE traveling exhibit with a goal to increase public knowledge of low vision, vision rehabilitation services, and adaptive devices. The exhibit consists of five colorful kiosks designed to attract a cross section of the population, from young people to senior citizens.
The star feature is an interactive touchscreen program that explains the causes of low vision and provides a self-assessment to help people determine whether they or someone they know may have low vision. Each exhibit also includes a display of devices that help people with low vision and targeted information on local low vision services and resources.
During the development phase, the interactive touchscreen program was evaluated using interviews with exhibit users and nonusers, focus groups, and a suitability assessment of the information in the program by experts in health communication, low vision, interactive technologies, and marketing. Once the exhibit was developed, we worked with NEI to create program evaluation materials, and we continue to evaluate the program at each stage of the tour.
Westat created media materials to help host committees promote the exhibit and customize the materials for each region where the exhibit travels. These materials include a sample 30-second television public service announcement (PSA), radio PSAs, press releases, event posters, and media event guidelines. We also provide ongoing support, planning, and organizing of the nationwide tour of THE EYE SITE exhibits.
Westat has supported NEI in bringing THE EYE SITE exhibit to more than 90 malls in 34 states and the District of Columbia. This national tour has given more than 41 million people the opportunity to see the exhibit and learn about low vision as well as associated problems, solutions, and available resources. We have helped NEI foster and strengthen partnerships with more than 150 vision-related groups and organizations from various parts of the country.
