Defining The Dot Experience: Everything You Need to Know
What is The Dot Experience?
The Dot Experience in Louisville, Kentucky is designed to be the most inclusive museum in the world and is the first attraction to make every exhibit, image, and artifact accessible to everyone. Designed with an unprecedented set of applied inclusive design standards, The Dot Experience will allow all visitors to have an immersive and interactive experience. Here we will change perspectives about blindness and empower visitors to create a more inclusive world through powerful stories and innovations shaped by people who are blind or low vision, hands on interactives, and more!
Why is it Called The Dot Experience?
The Dot Experience is named in tribute to APH's rich history and enduring dedication to braille. This tactile system—built from combinations of six simple dots—forms the foundation of letters, numbers, music and words.
When Will The Dot Experience Open?
We look forward to welcoming you on October 30, 2026!
What Can I Expect to See and Learn at The Dot Experience?
Throughout The Dot Experience you will hear stories of the human experience from folks who are blind or low vision, both contemporary and historical, sharing their successes, struggles, joy, and everyday lives. You’ll meet teenage inventor, Louis Braille, creator of the braille code, and thanks to the American Foundation for the Blind Helen Keller Archives, you will get to know Helen through her own words, spanning all phases of her life.
You will have hands-on opportunities to learn about the history of education for people who are blind or low vision and cutting-edge technology that is changing the game. As you tour our factory, you’ll learn how our products are made and the history of APH's production facility, which has been at the same site since 1878.
Before you leave, we’ll invite you to reflect on your own experiences and communities, and how you can make them more inclusive.
Will The Dot Experience Include Information About APH’s History?
Yes! APH’s long history of innovation will be highlighted as visitors learn about the history and future of braille, talking books, magnifiers, braille writers, and more. The Factory Tour will be an opportunity for visitors to experience firsthand what we do at APH to support students who are blind or low vision across the country. Additionally, we maintain the largest and fastest growing center for historical materials in the nation devoted to the history of blindness and the education of people who are blind or low vision, which will be displayed throughout The Dot Experience
Can I Try Out APH Products at The Dot Experience?
Our products will be used throughout the experience to enhance learning opportunities and give visitors the chance to get hands-on experience with various APH products.
Where Will The Dot Experience Be Located?
The Dot Experience was added on to the front of the APH headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, where we have resided since 1878. The lobby will serve as the new entrance into APH, where museum goers and corporate visitors will be welcomed into our tactile-first experience.
What Ages is The Dot Experience for?
The Dot Experience is for all ages!
How Will The Dot Experience Be More Accessible Than a Typical Museum Experience?
Where most museums discourage touch, at The Dot Experience we want you to touch everything! You’ll be invited to tactically explore replicas of artifacts, and in some spots, the artifacts themselves, with multi-sensory experiences throughout the galleries.
The Dot Experience has been designed with an unprecedented set of inclusive design standards that ensure every visitor will be able to independently explore and engage with exhibits at their own pace. All text will have corresponding braille and audio, video will have on screen ASL interpretation, and every image will have alt text. Tactile maps and flooring will guide visitors through the galleries and to specific exhibit components, all of which are fully navigable with a wheelchair. Interactives have been designed with mobility and dexterity in mind and are all within the reachable zone of a person using a wheelchair.
Why Should I Visit The Dot Experience?
The Dot Experience raises the voices and highlights the lived experiences of the blind and low vision community, providing a platform to expand equality and opportunity for all people.
How Can I Support the Creation of The Dot Experience?
The Dot Experience will house many stories from people who are blind or low vision. If someone has positively impacted your life, we’d love to include them. By honoring your influencer with a $250 donation, their name will be included in a display in The Dot Experience. Learn more about how you can ensure your influencer’s legacy. In addition, there are opportunities for both individuals and companies to support The Dot Experience on a larger scale. Please contact development@aph.org for more information.
In Addition to Key Figures like Helen Keller and Stevie Wonder, Are There Going to be Ordinary Blind People Represented?
Absolutely! APH has recruited an eclectic group of people who are blind and low vision who are artists, adventurers, businesspeople, advocates, parents, students, teachers, and innovators to serve as its “cast”. Their voices, along with historical figures like Helen Keller and Louis Braille, will join those of everyday APH customers, community, and staff to provide well-rounded perspectives on their successes, struggles, realities, hopes, and hurdles. The “cast” offers a range of representation in age, background, identity, vision acuity, and context of vision loss.