The New York City museum’s visitors hear audio at their own pace and volume.
New York, New York July 10, 2023 – The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City has become one of the first organizations to work with Sennheiser to customize the iOS and Android app for MobileConnect, an easy-to-use and intuitive Assistive Listening system that utilizes the Bring-Your-Own-Device philosophy.
MobileConnect is available to visitors in the Museum, with streaming audio that can perfectly sync with video and film works of art. MoMA visitors can use MobileConnect as an accessible assistive listening solution via their personal smartphones without the need for cumbersome and potentially difficult-to-clean wired headphones.
Another way MoMA is using MobileConnect is to allow visitors to experience multiple audio works in the same space, without creating an unpleasant cacophony or compromising audio quality or visitor experience.
MoMA installed an additional fiber network and switches in the exhibition space to accommodate the approximately 40 MobileConnect stations. Since visitors might not have their own devices or understand how to download and operate the MobileConnect app, the MoMA Audio Visual Department sourced, tested, and provisioned mobile devices and headphones that would be appropriate to hand out to visitors. This included hygiene solutions for devices and headphones. MoMA’s Visitor Engagement staff were employed and trained in the use of the system and how to best communicate its use to visitors.
A recent pilot at MoMA marked an unprecedented implementation of assistive listening/accessibility for audio works in a museum environment. With MobileConnect, MoMA estimates that over 95% of the art works with audio in an exhibition can be fully accessible to the hard of hearing.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
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With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
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Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
