In line with the slogan of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ― "Nothing About Us, Without Us" ― the National Museum of Taiwan Literature has developed two sets of "toolkits" tailor-made for visual- and hearing-impaired readers, and an additional set aimed at cultivating the habit of reading from an early age.
As a model museum recognized by the Ministry of Culture for its efforts to meet the needs of visitors with disabilities, the National Museum of Taiwan Literature has spared no effort to promote inclusivity over the years. This includes entrusting the Taiwan Literary Creators' Association (台灣文學創作者協會) with the task of creating the aforementioned trio of toolkits for promoting cultural rights and equal access. Members from each target group were also invited to participate in the development process.
Hsiao Shu-jen (蕭淑貞), deputy director of the museum, explained that development was based on the latest 12-year curriculum released by the Ministry of Education, and takes into account all five senses. These toolkits will not only be made available to instructors via campus promotion tours, access can be requested online as well.
The toolkit for visually impaired readers includes a scented map on Taiwan literature that draws upon the aromas of native Taiwanese plants, which can be paired with incense and other props to bring literature alive through fragrance. This box of resources also includes a selection of traditional Chinese herbs and aromatic plants from author Iris Lee's (李欣倫) "City (城)" to connect one's sense of smell with tactile touch.
The National Association of the Deaf of the Republic of China was invited to participate in the development of a toolkit for the hearing impaired, resulting in the creation of Taiwan's first-ever literary tourism guide video that communicates through sign language. This box of resources also includes writings on the mountain town of Jiufen (九份), a VR introduction to the museum, and a literary tea set to reflect the "voiceless but full of emotions" aspect of deaf culture.
The third toolkit is aimed at children and was planned by four publishing companies specializing in children's literature and young adult novels. Based on the life and works of late Taiwanese writer-editor Lin Haiyin, this box of resources combines illustrated storyboards with shadow puppetry, personal memories, and scented crayons to experience Taiwan literature through drama, curation, and research initiatives.
The Dec. 17 press conference at Taipei's Qidong Poetry Salon was attended by Chen Rongsheng (陳榕笙), secretary-general of the Taiwan Literary Creators' Association; Mike Niu (牛暄文), director of the National Association of the Deaf; psychologist Yang Sheng-hung (楊聖弘); visually impaired singer-pianist Huang Yu-siang (黃裕翔); Chang Su-ching (張素卿), head of SACCA Publishing; and Tsai Tsung-han (蔡宗翰), director of Les Champions' Educational Books Division. They unanimously affirmed the museum's efforts in promoting cultural equality.
Call 06-2217201 (ext. #2513) for more information on the NMTL's toolkits.