Madrid, November 20, 2007

Sign Language Tour at the Reina Sofia

Antenna Audio expands their audioguide service at the Museo Nacional Reina Sofia to include a Sign Language Tour in Spanish using a screen based device capable of providing videos and still images, as well as the option to interact with the content.

For many years, Antenna Audio has been at the forefront of improving disability access to cultural institutions. To reach specific audiences Antenna designed audio tours for the visually impaired, virtual tours for download or use on site by the physically handicapped and in 2002, when PDA technology permitted the use of a large quantity of video content on a stable platform we were able to introduce our first sign language tour at Tate Modern.

Research has shown that wall texts are not enough for the deaf visitor and a properly designed multimedia tour, which allows the visitor time to look at the work of art itself, to use a signed glossary for unfamiliar artistic terms, and communicate with their companions, is an excellent way to open the museum to these visitors. Subtitles also allow the museum to reach a broader demographic group.

A selected number of works from the permanent collection on the second floor of Reina Sofia was chosen by the Museum for interpretation in Spanish Sign Language. As well as the signed video many still images related to the work of art or the artist are included. Opportunities for the deaf visitor to interact with the content are provided, allowing the visitor to select more explicit explanations of a specific work by touching on highlighted areas of the painting that appears on their screen. The multimedia tour will give unprecedented access to the collection for the deaf and hard of hearing, allowing them to be independent and enjoy on-demand access to the gallery in the same way as other visitors.

It is thanks to the collaboration of the Education Department of Reina Sofia, as well as specialized organizations such as CNSE Foundation who provided the experienced signers and the video content and ORANGE Foundation the main sponsor of this project along with Plan Avanza, that Antenna Audio has been able to provide this new service in the Museum.

About Antenna Audio 

Antenna Audio (www.antennaaudio.com) is the world leader in audio and multimedia tours and is  an innovator in mobile and cultural interpretation, expanding into podcasting, cell-phone tours and downloadable walking tours.  Each year, more than 20 million visitors, in 12 languages and across 20 countries, experience Antenna Audio's award-winning productions at 450 of the world's most  famous, fascinating and frequented destinations. Acquired in April 2006 by the number-one nonfiction media company, Discovery Communications (www.discovery.com), Antenna Audio now offers its clients unprecedented access to Discovery's expansive library of original content and 100plus worldwide networks, which reach more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries through TV and digital media.

For information on other Antenna Audio productions, please contact

Barbara Woods     +34 91 3896684