Delta Gamma sorority and Meadows Museum launch partnership for sight-impaired visitors

Delta Gamma and the Meadows Museum have partnered on a docent program to help the visually impaired.

Delta Gamma project at Meadows Museum

By Josh Yonis
SMU News

DALLAS (SMU) – The Delta Gamma Foundation of Dallas and the Meadows Museum at SMU have partnered to implement the Delta Gamma Student Docent Program. Members of the Alpha Upsilon chapter of the Delta Gamma sorority at SMU will work with Meadows Museum staff to assist visitors with visual impairment. 

“This is an incredible opportunity for Delta Gamma to serve the blind and visually impaired in our own community,” SMU student Tracy Nelson said. Nelson is an active member of the Alpha Upsilon chapter and a junior political science major at SMU.

Approximately 70 members have been trained by the Meadows staff and are serving as gallery hosts from 6-8 p.m. every Thursday through Dec. 4 for blind and low- vision visitors in an effort to help them explore works of art through multisensory activities. 

“We’ve had the opportunity to take a level of ownership with the program and really see the impact that our efforts can make in not only the lives of the blind and visually impaired, but also in increasing awareness of the need for expanded accessibility for these individuals,” Nelson said.

The Delta Gamma partnership also includes two family workshops titled “New Ways of Seeing.” The first workshop was held on Nov. 1 and the second will be held from 1-3 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 6. 

During the workshops, families can enjoy a different art activity relating to works in the galleries. Members who introduce ways to create art without the sense of sight lead these free drop-in programs. 

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