Mural for the Blind to Be Dedicated

A one-of-a-kind blind accessible, interactive mural entitled “Where Independence Begins” has been installed along the Adams Street wall of Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth, and the organization is celebrating its completion with a dedication event slated for Wednesday, September 21 at 9:00am. The 2,000 square foot mural, painted by award-winning Fort Worth muralist Kristen Soble, was designed and executed specifically with individuals who are blind and visually impaired in mind; it features high-contrast images and colors, multiple tactile elements, Braille messages, and audio devices. A companion website accessible by a QR code provides visitors an even more in-depth experience while using a screen reader.

“We wanted to do something to not only contribute to the beautification of our neighborhood, but to also create something accessible to those who are often left out of the equation when it comes to visual art,” says Curtis Rhodes, Communications & Content Creator for the Lighthouse in Fort Worth. “By incorporating numerous tactile and audio elements into the design, we feel we have done just that.”

Detail of Assistive Technology section and of Orientation & Mobility section.
Photo courtesy of Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth.

The design process was more involved than usual for Soble, and included a focus group and discussions with Lighthouse employees who are blind or visually impaired, in order to gain valuable perspective that informed the eventual design.

“I felt a huge responsibility with this mural,” says Soble, who was named as Fort Worth’s best muralist by Fort Worth Magazine two years in a row. “There was just this feeling that it had to be really great. My work is intended to spark creativity and joy, and so I wanted to carry that into this mural as well.”

In addition to high-contrast colors, textured sections for a tactile experience, and stainless-steel railings that feature inspirational messages in Braille, the mural also includes six audio devices that provide visitors with an audio description of the art before them. The devices – repurposed traffic signals – have been donated by Consolidated Traffic Controls, Inc.

Detail of a tactile 3-D relief of the entire mural.
Photo courtesy of Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth.

“It is an honor to be part of a project that beautifies Fort Worth, but also educates and stimulates conversation amongst our great citizens,” said David Walker, President of Consolidated Traffic Controls, Inc.

The project became a true community endeavor, with a local Near Southside construction company, Basecom, Inc., donating their services to install the railings and various tactile elements, as well as providing consulting advice along the way.

“We were able to pay for this incredible project through the generosity of our amazing donors and funders, including a lead gift by philanthropist Roz Rosenthal, and gifts by Union Pacific Foundation and the Ann L. and Carol Green Rhodes Charitable Trust,” said Lisa Fellers, Head of Development at the Lighthouse. “We made this a focus of last year’s North Texas Giving Day. We were so delighted to see how inspired our donors were that we have again decided to make it the focus of this year’s North Texas Giving Day on September 22, 2022, so that we can expand this project to other walls of our building.”

Now that the project has been completed, the Lighthouse is planning a mural dedication event set for Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 9:00am. The morning will include a moment to recognize all of those who made the mural possible; attendees will have an opportunity to experience and interact with the mural’s features. Mama Lama Sweets will be on hand with coffee and light fare. The community is invited to join the celebration.

Stainless-steel railings with Braille messages are included throughout.
Photo courtesy of Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth.