She’s Making the Blind Feel Seen Through Louisville’s Newest Museum Experience
Jo Haas, COO of The American Printing House for the Blind, talks inclusivity, finding your people, and the importance of never missing a moment to step up. Image: Jo Haas
Before taking the helm at the American Printing House for the Blind, COO Jo Haas had a hand in leading some of the region’s most well-known museums (Center of Science and Industry, Carnegie Science Center, Ford Motor Company’s Spirit of Ford, The Henry Ford Museum, and Kentucky Science Center, if we’re naming names).
When she’s not busy bringing to life APH’s The Dot Experience, a space designed to bring awareness to the experiences and contributions of those who are blind or sight impaired, the Northern Kentucky native loves hiking, attending auto shows, and blacksmithing, all with her son, Winston.
You’ve had a successful career at museums and other cultural destinations. What sparked your interest in APH/The Dot Experience?
The initial appeal had everything to do with leading the charge on something that’s never been done at this scale before. The Board had a big vision, and I couldn’t resist taking the reins. APH is a wildly cool, very well-kept secret — though it’s a rock star organization in the blindness field. I knew that working to raise APH’s public profile through The Dot Experience would align with my love of community and brand building, too.
Very quickly, it also became clear that this project was going to offer me the chance to learn new things and challenge myself to think differently. I’ve always considered myself very in tune with accessibility, and yet I’d probably approach my entire past body of creative work in new ways with the gained perspective about inclusive design and disability inclusion.
What do you hope people feel when they visit The Dot Experience?
I want people to be motivated — to have a little fire in their belly — after visiting The Dot Experience. I hope people are challenged and changed by the experience. We want visitors to confront some of the realities of our society and maybe even face a few of their own biases. We’ve designed things to be relatable and also offer moments of self-reflection. Then we deliver clear pathways for how each of us can make the world a better place. Every small change matters.
As The Dot Experience nears completion, what has been the biggest challenge, and how have you overcome it?
At only a few weeks out from opening, the challenge has everything to do with the confluence of volume, pace, intentionality … and excitement. There are an incredible number of plates spinning, and the number of individuals involved in the laundry list of tasks is exploding. Plus, the excitement of being involved is building throughout the APH organization.
Suddenly, there are a bazillion fingers in the pie, and we’re working hard to hit deadlines and do that with a tight focus on every element of the inclusive design framework. Decisions and actions can have many related impacts and sometimes unintended consequences.
Recently, we created an “idea board” link for The Dot Experience staff and trustees. It basically says, “Keep your great ideas coming, document them, and after opening, we’ll evaluate them. For now, let’s stay focused on delivering against the punch list.”
If you hadn’t pursued this line of work, what would you be doing?
I’ve always had a creative streak, and through college, I thought I would be an art teacher or an art therapist. But museum and attraction work was also very present throughout my childhood. We had an art museum membership, visited the local zoo almost weekly, wandered the Krohn Conservatory, were season passholders at Kings Island, attended concerts, plays, and Broadway musicals.
I used to dream of being the general manager for the Ringling Brothers’ Circus, which my mom and I went to every year, and I have dreamed of running a Disney theme park. I always thank goodness for the classified ad I responded to in 1989. It said “ability to work amid organized chaos.” I said, yep, that’s me. Two weeks later, I had my first real job at Ohio’s Center of Science and Industry. Immediately, I knew I had found my people and my purpose.
Where are your favorite local places to hang out?
I really love our green spaces and outdoor gathering places. I spend lots of time at Creasy Mahan Nature Preserve, Bernheim Forest, Cave Hill Cemetery, The Parklands trails and waterways, the Crescent Hill reservoir, PlayPort at the Waterfront, Charlestown State Park, Falls of the Ohio, Big Four Bridge, our community outdoor pools, doing Brightside cleanups around town, and more.
Where do you go to find inspiration?
I seek out people. I get a lot of energy from encounters and being in a community with people who embrace big ideas and who are dreamers, thinkers, open-minded, adventurous, and creative.
What can we find you doing after work?
Swimming, resetting my nervous system with our cat, Enzo, or at the ceramics studio.
What is something people are surprised to learn about you?
When my son was 4, we started Taekwondo together, and four years later, we earned our black belts.
What’s your best piece of advice?
A lot of young professionals ask me how to advance their careers, and I often say, “Never miss a moment to step up.” Every new assignment is a chance to grow. Volunteer to lead. Doing is a great way of proving you are capable. Don’t just sit around waiting for someone else to give you the instruction book. There’s no fun in that. Write the book.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Go-to Louisville boutique when you need to buy a gift? Any of our many museum stores.
What’s your go-to restaurant when visitors are in town? Grind, Feast, or Game.
Next (or most recent) travel destination? I’m off to The John C. Campbell Folk School for a Board Meeting in November, then I’ll stay for a week-long enameling class.
What’s your go-to coffee order, and where? Half-sweet miel with added cayenne from any one of our many neighborhood Heine Brothers.
Podcast you never miss? Short Wave by NPR.
Last great book you read? I Identify as Blind: A Brazen Celebration of Disability Culture, Identity, and Power by Lachi.
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Beth Clayton
For over 20 years, Beth Clayton has either been working in a newsroom or pitching one. A natural storyteller and word nerd from the moment she could pick up a pencil, she earned her journalism degree from Butler University and spent the next decade as a writer, reporter, and editor. She now lives in Louisville, KY with her husband, three kids, and a very bad dog, and loves immersing herself in old lady hobbies such as houseplants and macrame.
