The first time I experienced a Braille map of a garden was in Seattle. Thoughtfully designed exhibits throughout this oasis encourage us to savor all our senses; they even have a tribute to proprioception, the sense for knowing where your body is in space, a kind of internal GPS. While most gardens focus on sight, this one celebrates six senses!
Many organizations worked together to create this free, public garden: the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation, Friends of the Sensory Garden, Local Lions Clubs, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Parks Foundation, and more. Thank you!
Descriptive Transcript
Haben gently runs her fingers across Braille on a vertical sign. The top part says, “Welcome to Woodland Park Rose Garden, Open 7:30 a.m. to Dusk.” Below that, an arrow points to the right and says:
Haben (reading out loud): Seattle Sensory Garden!
Seeing Eye dog Mylo and Haben stride along a wide, paved path toward a blue archway. Their friends Margaux Joffe and her small dog Codi stand beside a map for the garden. The sign has print, Braille, and tactile lines for the map. It’s tilted at an angle to make Braille reading easier. Haben stands by the sign, reading the Braille out loud.
Haben (reading): A garden in peak season is a riot for the senses! A symphony of sound, scents, and sight. We invite you to touch, see, listen, smell and move.
She touches a lilac, a small purple flower, leaning close to enjoy the sweet fragrance.
Haben (reading): Local Lions Clubs who serve people who are deaf and blind planted the seed of an idea for this space in 2008.
The camera zooms in on her hands reading, then shows the map with “Meadow Gardens,” “Woodland Gardens,” “Cathedral of Melodies,” “Table of Understanding,” and more.
Haben (reading): Come stimulate your senses at the Seattle Sensory Garden, an inclusive space for people of all ages and abilities.