2024-11-22

Below:

Attendees


Chat

To see a description and schedule of upcoming seminars, visit

https://www.ppadomes.org/events/online-seminars/pzs-schedule


Speaker’s email address: schmolls@msu.edu


10:06:31 From Rosemary Walling : Please sign in, using the chat, with your name and where you are from. Thank you

10:08:56 From Patricia Reiff : We provide srt files in English and Spanish for all of our shows.  Our software can show on demand, and you can set placement and size.  All our shows are available to watch in entirety on our YouTube channel eplanetarium, and those have closed caption options.

Audrey Cesene, Hudson River Museum in Yonkers Ny

10:12:57 From Joe Witte : .? Is there an iPone app that can act as a “Handheld” device?

10:19:00 From Mary Holt : Hard with astigmatism too, I never feel like I can fully focus with the glasses

10:23:04 From Patricia Reiff : When we are in a noisy environment like an exhibit booth the visitors say the captions are very much appreciated.  Also for English learners seeing the words helps them learn English.

10:27:27 From Jeff Nee : With regards to being "worth it" it's always worth it to consider more accessibility when building your shows from the start.  Like most accessibility considerations, it doesn't JUST help those with disabilities.  Adding more/better labeling, better pacing, etc., helps EVERYONE learn better.

10:30:49 From Colin Hutcheson : I know Skypoint are trialing the use of glasses for live captioning as they want to see how good they are for people with different accents.

10:30:54 From Patricia Reiff : Our MEDIASHOW software if there are multiple srt files, you can choose your language on the fly.  http://eplanetarium.com/support_subtitles.php


10:31:29 From Sara Schultz : I know Sally at the Bell museum has something they do for live shows


10:31:35 From Jeff Nee : Nowhere better to do live transcription research than the LHS, right?


10:31:38 From Amie Gallagher phone : I noticed Live Transcribe had trouble with a British narrator.

The app has multiple language options - there are 15 options for English (UK, US, Canada, etc)



10:32:25 From Tina Ratterman : Can all systems use SRT files now?

Digistar 6 and below can't directly, but applications have been provided to allow us to convert into a usable form. D7 can now take SFT directly

Sky-Skan can.

Sky explorer / Dome manager can (our system is from 2013)


10:32:45 From Alby Luchko (she/her) : We're working to fund our planetarium but CSUN has a National Center on Deafness and a Dept of Deaf Studies. I'm definitely going to look into what kind of funding and research we can incorporate into our funding proposal!


10:32:54 From Waylena McCully (she/her) : AI has been helpful in generating SRT files for me 


10:33:31 From Theresa Summer, ASP : Captions also help neurodivergent peoples well

Yes! I've noticed that my ND kiddos always use captions when watching TV.

I always use captions now on my phone and on my TV. We have no hearing or English issues in my house - just issues understanding what people are saying! 🙂


10:33:54 From Patricia Reiff : Won’t those special translator pens also do that?


10:36:06 From Sara Schultz : Bell uses the CART system with a live person transcribing


10:36:09 From Tina Ratterman : I was recently asked for a show with open-captions and a version without. They would have one show with and one show without captions on a daily basis. Would this be good for distributors to offer when SRT file capabilities are not possible?


10:37:31 From Colin Hutcheson : I'll second the plea for distributors to offer sft files by default.  I know many do

Reef just made SRT for Legend of the Enchanted Reef. We're working on Little Major Tom SRT files now. We're trying to make this standard.

 

10:38:47 From Alby Luchko (she/her) : Is it recommended to have a live ASL interpreter in the room (and how do you make them visible for the audience) or having them displayed on the dome somewhere?


10:38:57 From Waylena McCully (she/her) : I've been using SubtitleEdit to generate my SRT files

open source

Me too. It's easy and free.

I use it too, and found it fairly intuitive to use

I've also found it particularly accurate with astronomy topics.  Unsure why.

Still have to check it, of course!

The OpenAI-based generation has been so much better than other generators.

Better with astronomy and other science stuff

I do have to hand-edit to insert name of speaker for multiple voices

SubtitleEdit can generate burned in video

Usually, I recommend Blender for everything but for caption work, I am 100% SubtitleEdit now.

I recently found that SubtitleEdit does the alpha channel video as well.  Easier than trying to get SRT stuff into the newer Blender version.

I'm VERY persnickety about how text shows up in my dome.  So just a notice for fellow perfectionists that solutions exist for you.  For example, adding a "glow" gradient as an outline so that the text is easily visible, highlighting text, dynamic coloring, etc.


10:40:15 From Patricia Reiff : Some of those auto generated captions are crazy funny


10:41:33 From Dário Fonseca : our is in synch


10:44:02 From Alan Gould : Good luck getting standardization in this industry...:^)


10:44:12 From Alby Luchko (she/her) : just make sure the standardization is being informed/driven by the DHH community and NOT the suppliers who might be "guessing".


10:44:50 From Jeff Nee : I've taken an SRT into Blender and created an alpha channeled video synced with just the text.  Then I can manipulate it wherever and however I want.


10:45:00 From Patricia Reiff : It’s trickier helping a vision impaired person in a dome!

Audio Universe is an example of a show created for vision impaired, and the creators are working on a project to create a toolkit for people to create sonification of more data


10:46:47 From Tina Ratterman : Audio description and closed-captions are required for IMAX and Giant Screen Theaters. The Smithsonian and others are required to have these.


10:47:15 From Patricia Reiff : If anyone would like to try the MediaShow player we have a 30 day free trial.  Works on fisheye or mirror single-projector systems.  And I’d be happy to do a live training  http://eplanetarium.com/software_mediashow.php


10:47:41 From JT Towne : Some of your requirements sound as if they may be state or local-set, Benjamin.


10:48:28 From Theresa Summer, ASP : I am looking for literature about planetarium efforts to be more inclusive, if anyone has some to share

Same here!

I would recommend you contact Noreen Grice at You Can do Astronomy. I'm actually surprised she's not on this Zoom. She has tons of lit./resources/experience on the matter.

Also there is the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee of IPS. Dani LeBlanc and Shaaron Leverment are co-chairs.

edi@ips-planetarium.org

https://www.ips-planetarium.org/page/placcessibility


10:49:13 From Colin Hutcheson : I had a live interpreter in a school show yesterday.  Lit with a red light, and feedback from them both was positive.


10:49:21 From Patricia Reiff : We have had live ASL interpreters BUT then all the folks pay close attention to them.  With the captions they can read and still see the show with peripheral vision.


10:50:04 From Benjamin Mendelsohn : We are exploring a technology by signglasses.com


10:51:20 From Shannon Schmoll (she/her) : They want to work with planetariums specifically too. The fee structure is tough for most planetariums


10:51:25 From Patricia Reiff : Another problem with glasses is keeping them charged, sanitizing between shows, etc…


10:52:18 From Jeff Nee : great point, Amy!  Orange lights?


10:52:56 From Colin Hutcheson : Winchester have explored this and found purple is generally best for most things, not sure whether they do it for BSL interpreters

purple light? So that it doesn't interrupt night vision and is not as distracting?

I'm relatively new to PPA, which locations did you say? Winchester and Arma?

Armagh

thank you!

I can't turn on mic right now, but yes our IPS EDI group is working on this!


10:52:59 From Alby Luchko (she/her) : I know we explain at the start of the show about night vision and how red light will not disrupt night vision - so we give context to the red light.


10:54:58 From Rosemary Walling : If you came in late, please sign in, using the chat, with your name and where you are from. Thank you

From Sara Schultz : Thanks for calling us late comers out, @Rosemary Walling  😄


10:55:34 From Patricia Reiff : https://eplanetarium.com/accessible.php


10:55:37 From Shannon Schmoll (she/her) : Umbrella...that's an idea!


10:58:02 From Shannon Schmoll (she/her) : https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/media/documents/resources/BigAstronomyBLVManual2023.pdf

10:58:25 From Shannon Schmoll (she/her) : Part of Big Astronomy's supplemental funding was the creation of tactile versions of our hands on activities


10:58:40 From Jeff Nee : Thanks for the discussion everyone!


10:58:44 From Jordan - Cernan Earth and Space : Definitely check state laws for ASL interpretation. I've started learning ASL and I recently found out that if I sign during a show without an interpreter's license I can get into trouble.


10:58:45 From Audrey Cesene : this was very informative, thank you for doing this!

10:58:46 From Mike Murray : Many thanks!!

10:58:52 From Mary Holt : Thank you Shannon!

10:58:55 From Alby Luchko (she/her) : Reacted to "I can't turn on mic ..." with 👍🏼

10:58:56 From Colin Hutcheson : Thank you for all this, really useful and good reminders for us all to be more inclusive

10:58:56 From April Whitt : Thanks, everyone. Thanks, Shannon!

10:58:58 From Margarita Hawthorn De Anza : Thank you for the info!

10:58:58 From Tina Ratterman : Thank you!

10:59:00 From Eric Briggs : Thanks all!

10:59:30 From Dani LeBlanc (she/her) : Thank you Shannon, and everyone!

10:59:31 From Amie Gallagher phone : Thank you everyone!

10:59:42 From Alby Luchko (she/her) : Thank you so much! These are great ideas for us as we relaunch our planetarium in an academic setting!

11:00:09 From Sarah Vise : Thanks y'all :)


AI-Generated Summary

AI-generated content may be inaccurate or misleading. Always check for accuracy.


Quick recap


The meeting focused on the importance of accessibility in planetariums, with a study on captioning options and the challenges of live captioning in shows. The team also discussed the use of ASL interpreters, the potential for partnerships and funding opportunities, and the need for more standardized approaches to accessibility. Lastly, the conversation ended with a discussion on the challenges of maintaining an older planetarium and plans for a full renovation.


Next steps


• Planetarium operators to explore implementing captions on the dome as the preferred accessibility option for deaf and hard of hearing visitors.

• Planetarium show producers to include SRT files and sign language interpretation videos as standard parts of show packages.

• Planetarium staff to consider using amber text instead of white for better visibility when implementing captions.

• Planetarium operators to explore live captioning options for interactive and live shows.

• Planetarium industry to push for standardization of captioning methods across systems and software.

• Planetarium staff to consider offering both captions and ASL interpretation to accommodate different language preferences.

• Planetarium operators to investigate funding options, such as IMLS grants, for implementing accessibility features.


Summary


Seminar and Big Astronomy Project


The meeting began with introductions and a discussion about the recording of the session. Alan was made a co-host to facilitate the recording process. Rosemary announced that the next seminar would be on January 31st, featuring Mika Akanappura and Alex Bach. Shannon Small, from Abrams Planetarium, was introduced as the President-elect of IPS. She shared her work on the big astronomy project and her recent publication in the IPS Planetary Planetarium. The conversation ended with Shannon preparing to discuss her material.


Captioning Options in Planetariums Study


Shannon presented a study on captioning options in planetariums, conducted as part of the Big Astronomy project. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness and usability of different captioning technologies in a dome environment. The research team interviewed participants from the deaf and hard of hearing community, practitioners, and conducted focus groups. The study tested three captioning methods: a handheld device, Epson glasses, and captions on the dome. The results showed that the dome captions were the most preferred method, but the Epson glasses could be improved for better reliability and comfort. The study also highlighted the importance of accessibility in planetariums and recommended best practices for captioning, such as using amber text, indicating voice changes, and pacing the show for better visual experience. The study concluded that captioning is worth it for making spaces inclusive and beneficial for a wider audience.


Live Captioning Challenges and Solutions


Shannon discussed the challenges and future plans for live captioning in shows, noting that it requires more research and funding. She also mentioned the need for standardization to make accessibility options easier for everyone. Mary asked about plans for live captioning, to which Shannon responded that she doesn't have any plans currently due to lack of funding. Bryan emphasized the importance of incorporating accessibility into the design of shows and products. Alan suggested the use of voice recognition technology displayed on the dome for live captioning. Shannon shared her experience with Google Live Transcribe and the potential of a student's idea to improve this. The group also discussed the use of handheld devices with apps like Google Translate or Otter for live captioning, and the potential of offering SRT files by default for distributors.


SRT File Creation and Accessibility


Audrey inquired about the process of creating Srt files and the compatibility of existing software with these files. Shannon shared her experience with using YouTube and Media Space for caption generation, but noted the need for editing for accuracy. Rosemary asked about the possibility of converting Srt files into a series of snippets for display on the screen. Jeff confirmed that Blender can handle this task. The team also discussed the need for standardization in the industry for accessibility, with Shannon emphasizing the importance of pushing for this standardization. Benjamin raised a question about the legal requirements for supporting people with disabilities in theaters, and JT suggested looking into federal law for more information. The team also discussed the need for more comprehensive support for visually impaired individuals in planetariums.


ASL Interpreters and Lighting Considerations


In the meeting, the team discussed the use of ASL interpreters in planetarium shows. They considered the pros and cons of using live interpreters versus pre-recorded videos, and the lighting requirements for both options. The team also discussed the use of different colored lights, with purple being suggested as a more inclusive alternative to red. They also touched on the use of closed captioning and the potential for augmented reality devices. The conversation ended with a discussion about the control over captioning in different systems and the mention of resources and the EDI Committee of the IPS.


Accessibility in Planetariums and Funding


In the meeting, Rosemary and Alan led a discussion on accessibility in planetariums, with Shannon sharing her experiences and insights. The conversation highlighted the importance of accommodating diverse needs, including those of deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Shannon emphasized the need for more standardized approaches to accessibility, and the group discussed the potential for partnerships and funding opportunities. The conversation ended with a discussion on the challenges of maintaining an older planetarium, with plans to create a new business plan and seek funding for a full renovation.


AI-generated content may be inaccurate or misleading. Always check for accuracy.