Schweizerisches Blindenmuseum

About the museum

The Swiss Museum for the Blind goes back to Theodor Staub, who, as a teacher in Zurich who had lost his sight early in life, founded the museum in 1907 and collected writings, aids and teaching materials from the history of education for the blind. In 1961 his collection passed to the Blindenschule Zollikofen, which looked after it from then on.

On this basis, the exhibition «anders sehen» (seeing differently) opened in 2012 in a pavilion on the school grounds. It was expanded into an information and awareness-raising centre that reaches many school classes and groups with workshops and courses and is supported by numerous volunteers. Because the pavilion no longer met building regulations, it could only be used until the end of 2019; a replacement building designed by the Bern architect Rolf Mühlethaler, financed through its own donation campaign, took in the museum in 2020.

The tour begins in an entirely grey foyer with video portraits, leads through a completely dark room with a radio play and tactile stations, and then shows objects from 200 years of education for the blind, all of which may be touched. A studio with work tables invites visitors to experience things for themselves. In 2022 the museum received a «Special Commendation» from the European Museum Forum; it is run by the foundation of the Blindenschule Zollikofen and is financed entirely by donations.

Highlights

• Darkroom with radio play and tactile stations
• All exhibits on 200 years of education for the blind can be touched
• Media guide in four programmes, also for blindness and Easy Language
• Studio for workshops and sensory experiences
• European Museum Forum: Special Commendation 2022

Permanent exhibition

• anders sehen – Tour through a grey foyer with video portraits, darkroom with sound play, permanent exhibition on 200 years of education for the blind and a studio for self-experience.

Founded

1907

Operated by

Stiftung für blinde und sehbehinderte Kinder und Jugendliche Zollikofen (Blindenschule Zollikofen)

Admission & discounts

One accompanying person per affected person has free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

All rooms and the toilets are wheelchair accessible. The media guide offers programmes for blindness, visual impairment, hearing impairment and Easy Language; all exhibits may be touched. The museum has been a label partner of «Kultur inklusiv» (Pro Infirmis) since 2021. Dogs are not allowed, except assistance dogs and guide dogs for the blind.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Family ticket for parents and children; children aged 6 and over pay the children's price, there is no specific offer for younger children. All exhibits can be touched, and there are hands-on stations in the studio and darkroom.

Getting there & parking

A brown cultural signpost shows the way; for blind visitors there is a detailed route description with guidelines and attention fields.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

In the foyer there are a cloakroom, lockers and a small museum shop.

Events & venue rental

Team events are offered in the museum for companies and teams (on request).

Plan your visit