The team at Monash University's Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) are hosting a Scientific Discovery Day specifically designed to be accessible for the blind and low vision community with tactile, sound, olfactory and low vision accessible displays and exhibits.
The Infection and Immunity Program at BDI are inviting all members of the blind and low vision community to discover more about infection, immunity and the work performed by researchers in this area.
Head of the Infection and Immunity Program Professor Jamie Rossjohn, ARC Australian Laureate Fellow, explained that after a staff member with low vision join his team, it got him thinking about how presentations and exhibits are notoriously inaccessible for people who are blind and have low vision.
"I thought it would be great for us to take the time to talk about what we do and make sure that it's completely accessible for people who are blind or have low vision," he said.
The half day scientific exhibition will showcase the research conducted by the Infection and Immunity Program through a special presentation by Professor Rossjohn and will also include:
• Hands on 2D and 3D exhibits created with 3D printers showing models of immune cells and the human body;
• A "microbiology practical class" involving microscopes hooked up to large displays, tactile posters and the smells of microbiology;
• An immersive experience at the MONASH CAVE2, an impressive super scale space where visitors can experience research and scientific discoveries on a grand scale.
A range of topics will be covered including learning about bacterial and viral infection, antibiotic resistance, vaccination, immune cells and the defence mechanisms they employ and immunology of the eye.
For any further information contact [email protected]. To register your interest in attending the event, please fill in the Google form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScV69B4eGgVV5LdWZ6QPqevSHQEcla18njTa6STD33DTQQJPQ/viewform?c=0&w=1
What: Scientific Discovery Day at Monash University
Day: Thursday 31 May 31 2018
Time: 8.45am registration, 9am to 1pm
Where: Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton Campus
Cost: Free, morning tea will be provided