UbiDuo 2 at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania

Mary Kline, the park’s Chief of Visitor Services and Resource Management, notes that the park received a grant, through the Department of Defense Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP), to provide Ubi-Duo units that will communicate with visitors who are deaf. Each of the units allows for two-way communications between a staff member and the visitor, in real-time, allowing a fluid conversation.News Release Date: August 8, 2013 Contact: Kip Hagen, 570-340-5182 SCRANTON, Pa. – Steamtown National Historic Site, downtown Scranton, announced two new upgrades to enhance the visitor experience for the park’s visitors with hearing or sight impairments. The Department of Defense (DoD) established the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) to eliminate employment barriers for people with disabilities.CAP’s mission, since its inception in 1990, is to provide assistive technology and accommodations to ensure people with disabilities and wounded Services members have equal access to the information environment and opportunities in the DoD and throughout the Federal Government. CAP has expanded beyond the DoD to partner with 68 federal agencies making it the largest provider of reasonable accommodations in the world. At Steamtown, the Ubi-Duo devices will be available at the Entrance Ticket & Information kiosk, with another available at the Visitor Center desk. Additionally, through “Braille the World,” a Montana-based Braille transcribing business, the park received copies of the Steamtown NHS Official Park Map and Guide in Braille for use by visitors who are blind. They are available for loan at the park’s Visitor Center desk. Located in downtown Scranton, Pa., Steamtown NHS is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.From I-81 follow exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway); then, follow the brown and white signs to the main entrance at Lackawanna and Cliff Avenues (GPS: N 41.41, W 75.67). Additional general park information is available by phoning (570) 340-5200 during regular business hours, or by visiting the Park website at www.nps.gov/stea anytime!

-NPS-

http://www.nps.gov/stea/learn/news/accessibility-upgrade-pr.htm