Fall leaves enthrall us. The vibrant colors just stir deep-seated emotions. But imagine that you are colorblind. How can you appreciate autumn colors? At Tennessee’s Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, those with colorblindness can look through a special viewfinder with lenses to see the foliage just as it appears to people with typical vision. They could, that is, until vandals trashed the viewer.
According to a National Park Service press release, sometime during the night of September 21, vandals destroyed that specialized viewer. The viewer was specially installed for individuals with protanopia and protanomaly—more commonly known as red-green color blindness
Colorblind viewer destruction: “Act of sheer, wanton vandalism”
“The National Park Service strives to provide opportunities for people to enjoy their park to the greatest extent possible,” said Superintendent Niki Stephanie Nicholas. “But thanks to an act of sheer, wanton vandalism, visitors with color blindness will no longer be able to experience the joy of seeing the majestic fall colors of this beautiful landscape.”
The National Park Service had partnered with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development to install the specially-equipped viewfinder at Big South Fork’s East Rim Overlook. It’s a popular overlook that offers impressive views of the Big South Fork River gorge. They didn’t just ruin the colorblind viewer. The vandals also ripped a large hole in the floor of the overlook balcony. That’s now temporarily repaired, but will have to be completely replaced later this autumn.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is encouraged to contact the NPS at 423-215-9740. Or leave a confidential message on the Resource Protection Tip Line at 423-569-7301. The 24-hour tip line allows callers to remain anonymous.
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To see how a colorblind viewer helps those with colorblindness, click here.
West Virginia state parks installs special viewers for colorblind visitors
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Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 Well, that is embarrassing, perhaps doubly so. At the least embarrassing that it happened in Tennessee. 🤔😯🙁 Just hope it wasn’t also a Tennessean. 🤔😯🙁☹️ Even more hope the culprit(s) is(are) found quickly. Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
What a darn shame.. I hope they catch the vandals and they’re prosecuted to the full extent of the law !
Sorry, Bill. I just noticed your previous comment sitting in Pending awaiting moderation. Was too focused on proofing a post or I would have added an * for the “m” and then approved it, but you took care of it in the meantime.👍 Have a good night.🤗 –Diane
We are living in different times . . .