Lamara D. Warren, Ph.D. Managing Director, DEAI | Saint Louis Science Center
Lamara D. Warren, Ph.D. Managing Director, DEAI | Saint Louis Science Center
The Saint Louis Science Center will hold its first Deaf Day event on Saturday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is organized in partnership with the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and several local deaf cultural organizations.
Dr. Lamara Warren, Managing Director at the Science Center, explained the purpose behind this initiative: “Science belongs to everyone, yet traditional experiences at science museums often rely heavily on auditory elements that can exclude Deaf and hard-of-hearing guests,” she said. “We’ve designed Deaf Day at the Saint Louis Science Center to address those barriers directly, creating shared learning opportunities where families and individual guests can explore regardless of communication differences. We’re focused on true inclusion, which means building experiences with communities, not just for them.”
Deaf Day aims to make scientific discovery more accessible by offering American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters throughout the facility—including inside the OMNIMAX Theater and Starbay Theater within the James S. McDonnell Planetarium—and within gallery spaces. The program includes OMNIMAX films with ASL interpretation scheduled hourly from 10 a.m. through early afternoon.
Throughout the year, the OMNIMAX Theater provides additional hearing assistance options such as adjustable caption devices (Dolby Captiview), hearing assistance devices with Descriptive Video Services (DVS), and Telecoil assisted listening systems.
Planetarium Star Shows will also feature ASL interpretation during select times on Deaf Day. The venue typically offers hearing assistance accommodations year-round while supplies last.
Other highlights include presentations at the Energy Stage—such as a special appearance by Deaf advocate Sonya Smith at 1:15 p.m., who will discuss her career in STEM fields—and an interactive Pre-School Science presentation earlier in the day. There will also be an agricultural demonstration inside the GROW gallery and open access to all ten galleries featuring hands-on exhibits.
Beyond this event, accessibility efforts at the Science Center include Sensory Friendly Science Time held on Sunday mornings for guests needing sensory modifications, as well as various mobility accommodations across its facilities. More details about accessibility features are available on their website: https://www.slsc.org/accessibility
The Saint Louis Science Center is a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate since 2016 and operates one of only a few IMAX Dome with Laser theaters globally. Its mission is to inspire curiosity and engagement in science among all visitors.
For further information or questions about accessibility services or events like Deaf Day, contact Doug Bolnick, Public Relations Manager.
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