LOUISVILLE, KY / AGILITYPR.NEWS / May 21, 2026 / As we recognize Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on Thursday, May 21, we at The Dot Experience are spotlighting a bold new model for accessible design, construction, and immersive storytelling with a first-of-its-kind museum currently under construction and scheduled to open in October 2026.

Developed as an extension of the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), we are designing The Dot Experience from the ground up with accessibility as a foundational principle rather than an afterthought. We are redefining how cultural institutions approach inclusion by embedding universal accessibility standards into every phase of planning, construction, and visitor engagement. To test potential designs, our Inclusive Prototyping Team included local individuals with a wide range of disabilities, from people who are blind, low vision, neurodiverse, Deaf, have mobility and dexterity differences, and more. Their feedback has been invaluable and has allowed everyone to think of accessibility in a different way.

“At The Dot Experience, accessibility is not simply a feature, it is the framework,” said Jo Haas, APH Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of The Dot Experience. “Global Accessibility Awareness Day is an opportunity to challenge industries to think beyond compliance and create environments where everyone feels welcomed, represented, and empowered.”

We are creating a destination that blends elements of an immersive attraction, a factory tour, and an educational center to create a destination focused on changing perspectives about blindness and inspiring action toward a more inclusive world.

Our exhibits will feature stories from people who are blind or low vision, bringing together historical and contemporary voices through interactive exhibits, multisensory environments, and human-centered design.

Key elements of the project include:

• A new benchmark for accessible construction through applied inclusive design standards that prioritize sensory, spatial, and experiential accessibility.

• Leadership-driven accessibility oversight from concept development through construction execution to ensure inclusivity remains central to the visitor experience.

• A blueprint for future museums and attractions, demonstrating how immersive storytelling, education, and universal access can coexist seamlessly.

• Thoughtful adaptive reuse that preserves key architectural elements of an existing structure while transforming the space into a modern experiential destination.

Our strategic partner, Solid Light, Inc., is leading planning, exhibit design, media production, and fabrication services. The firm is nationally recognized for their work on museums and cultural destinations across the country; it is helping bring The Dot Experience’s inclusive vision to life.

Founded in 1858, APH is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to creating accessible learning experiences through educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are blind or low vision.

We look forward to opening The Dot Experience in October 2026 and aim to serve as a national model for accessibility, innovation, and inclusive design.

Media interviews with Jo Haas and representatives from Solid Light are available upon request. Renderings, construction updates, and additional project materials can be found in The Dot Experience media kit. Listen to an interview about The Dot Experience on the APH podcast Change Makers.