Art for the Blind – why are they excluded?

I feel so passionate about the fact that art should be accessible for all, not just for the visually able! How sad it is to see Art Galleries set out with most of the paintings on walls, often behind glass – but very much out of reach? I respect the fact that not all Art can be viewed and experienced by a visually impaired person, but i feel that there should be more places/venues catering for this sector of society, as well as many other disabilities, and also that they should be incorporated into everyday exhibitions rather than standing out as being something catering for the less able.We do so often highlight and disable people in our society when we need to be more inclusive. Also why do we think that the only way to view art is through the eyes? what about our other senses? To touch a piece of art, to smell it, to hear it…and maybe even to taste it (although not sure how that one would work) would be amazing!
For those of us who are blessed with sight maybe we could close our eyes for a while and journey around the exhibition ourselves, heightening our other senses as we remove the distractions caused by the critical eye?
I will endeavour to look into this further to address this issue.I am interested in textured inclusive art, but may also look into incorporating light (as some visually impaired people can recognise light) the use of colour, smell, and sound – in the hope that i can address the imbalance in equality, and the noticable discrimination some disabled people must feel.
I think this issue will become the main focus of my professional development practice, and something i will work on over the next three years i am at uni.

The image below is of an interactive art piece , which looks great fun!

http://monkeymoo12345pdp.wordpress.com/2010/03/19/art-for-the-blind-why-are-they-excluded/