Accessibility in Digital Humanities: Making Clio Available to All

FAIN: HAA-269019-20

Marshall University Research Corporation (Huntington, WV 25701-2225)
David J. Trowbridge (Project Director: June 2019 to present)

A collaboration between Marshall University and the American Foundation for the Blind to develop enhanced accessibility features and related user documentation for the Clio project, a platform that allows educators and cultural institutions to design mobile tours for exploring local history and culture.

Our team of humanities scholars and developers will work with the American Foundation for the Blind to make Clio accessible. The team will share lessons learned and hopes to become a model for other public-facing digital humanities projects.

Media Coverage

Helping Make History More Accessible (Media Coverage)
Author(s): American Foundation for the Blind
Publication: American Foundation for the Blind
Date: 1/28/2020
Abstract: AFB Blog post announcing the partnership with Clio and NEH grant
URL: https://www.afb.org/blog/entry/helping-make-history-more-accessible

Marshall receives $98,809 NEH grant to increase Clio accessibility for visually impaired (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Herald-Dispatch
Publication: Herald-Dispatch
Date: 1/20/2020
Abstract: Local newspaper announcing NEH grant
URL: https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/marshall-receives-neh-grant-to-increase-clio-accessibility-for-visually/article_8ccdbd6f-d2a8-52bd-b9d9-904eb45980b8.html

Local Organizations Working to Make Technology More Accessible (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Lily Bradley, Reporter
Publication: WOWK Television
Date: 3/2/2020
Abstract: Local television story on the recent NEH grant featuring our PI, web developers, and staff from the American Foundation for the Blind discussing plans to make Clio accessible Here is the link: https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/three-huntington-organizations-working-to-make-technology-more-accessible-for-the-visually-impaired/
URL: https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/three-huntington-organizations-working-to-make-technology-more-accessible-for-the-visually-impaired/

History at Hand: Clio App Brings the Past to the Present (Media Coverage)
Publication: River Cities Magazine
Date: 5/19/2020
Abstract: Our project is the cover story of River Cities Magazine for the current (April/May) issue. This regional magazine has good circulation in the Tri-State and the article credits the NEH and discusses our efforts with the American Foundation for the Blind and other organizations.

Self-Guided African American Tour Traces 300 Years in Westfield (Media Coverage)
Publication: Westfield (NJ) Patch
Date: 11/2/2020
Abstract: The African American History Committee of Westfield 300 launched a self-guided tour highlighting the 300-year history of African Americans.
URL: https://patch.com/new-jersey/westfield/self-guided-african-american-tour-traces-300-years-westfield

Bishop Hill offers virtual tour (Media Coverage)
Publication: McDnough County Voice
Date: 11/11/2020
Abstract: Article on the Bishop Hill Heritage Association's use of Clio to create walking tours
URL: https://www.mcdonoughvoice.com/story/news/2020/11/11/bishop-hill-offers-virtual-tour/43085799/

Wapa Theatre highlighted on educational website (Media Coverage)
Publication: WLIO TV
Date: 9/17/2020
Abstract: WLIO TV coverage of virtual site tour in Lima OH created by Ohio History Connection
URL: https://www.hometownstations.com/news/wapa-theatre-highlighted-on-educational-website/article_c8c8a4e0-f93f-11ea-8d71-0f7f4749ca50.html

Making Online Learning Active (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Steven Mintz
Publication: Inside Higher Ed
Date: 7/6/2020
Abstract: Dr. Steven Mintz discusses Clio and several other platforms and technologies that educators can use to make online learning more active and authentic.
URL: https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/higher-ed-gamma/making-online-learning-active

New Version of Clio Mobile App Includes Augmented Reality (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Seth Mitchell
Publication: Herald-Dispatch
Date: 1/2/2021
Abstract: Front-page and above the fold story on new features supported by this grant. The Herald-Dispatch is the newspaper in Huntington, the largest city in West Virginia.
URL: https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/new-version-of-clio-app-features-augmented-reality/article_b3e33823-3fd8-578e-981b-be026087dc73.html

Clio App Brings the Past to the Present (Media Coverage)
Publication: River Cities Magazine
Date: 1/27/2021
Abstract: Clio's growth was the cover story of River Cities Magazine (April/May) 2020 issue. This regional magazine covers WV and the Tri-State, and the article credits the NEH and discusses our efforts with the American Foundation for the Blind and other organizations. The article was six pages and included many photos of people using Clio and demonstrated the value of a digital humanities site for the public during COVID-19

Associated Products

Clio (Web Resource)
Title: Clio
Author: David Trowbridge
Abstract: Clio is an educational website and mobile application that guides the public to thousands of historical and cultural sites throughout the United States. Built by scholars for public benefit, each entry includes a concise summary and useful information about a historical site, museum, monument, landmark, or other site of cultural or historical significance. In addition, “time capsule” entries allow users to learn about historical events that occurred around them. Each entry offers turn-by-turn directions as well as links to relevant books, articles, videos, primary sources, and credible websites.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: https://www.theclio.com/

Oral History and Clio: Connecting Oral History, Sense of Place, and a Public Audience (Blog Post)
Title: Oral History and Clio: Connecting Oral History, Sense of Place, and a Public Audience
Author: David Trowbridge
Author: Kathleen Thompson
Abstract: Digital technologies have created the opportunity to share oral history interviews in new ways, as evidenced by the many projects we discuss here on the blog and in the journal’s media reviews. The educational nonprofit, Clio, offers a place-based website and mobile interface to experience history where it happened. A recent update allows integration of audio files into the app, and our guest authors discuss ways oral historians can connect their interviews to the physical environment. Dr. Thompson and Dr. Trowbridge share how organizations and scholars around the country have used Clio to embed oral histories and other sources along with context into the physical landscape via Clio.
Date: 10/30/2020
Primary URL: https://oralhistoryreview.org/technology/clio/
Website: Oral History Review

---