Astroaccesible: A multi-messenger outreach for a multi-messenger science

TL;DR

The Astroaccesible project promotes inclusive astronomy education for blind and visually impaired individuals using multisensory resources, enhancing understanding of multi-messenger astronomy and fostering broader participation in science.

Contribution

It introduces a novel multisensory outreach approach led by a blind astronomer, emphasizing inclusive teaching methods for multi-messenger astronomy.

Findings

Enhanced engagement of BVI audiences in astronomy

Use of multisensory resources improves concept comprehension

Fosters inclusive participation in multi-messenger science

Abstract

This contribution summarizes the main activities and objectives of the outreach project Astroaccesible, whose main aim is to carry the teaching and diffusion of astronomy among all kinds of collectives, focusing on blind and visually impaired (BVI) people. This project is led by a blind astronomer and aims to use a variety of resources based on different sensory channels, avoiding limiting the transmission of concepts to visual perception. This principle favors inclusion and benefits everyone, as the information is not presented using just one channel. This strategy is especially convenient for the nowadays typical data acquisition, where a variety of sources of information, not solely based on the collection of different spectral domains of electromagnetic radiation, is used. Moreover, the study of new multi-messenger astronomy could be much better understood using a multi-messenger teaching approach, favoring inclusion, motivation, and creativity.