Tactile Graphics and 3D Printing

 

• Accessible Graphics Hub: Presented by researchers at Monash University (Melbourne, VIC), this site is intended to share knowledge and resources on the provision of accessible graphics for the vision impaired community.It includes valuable Accessible Graphics Resources.
• Accessible Image List:
  Discussion List with purpose to discuss graphics and images designed for vision impaired people. This includes the development of tactile graphics, and other types of information designed for the blind and vision impaired. The list is for anyone interested.
• Australian and New Zealand Accessible Graphics Group (ANZAGG)
  ANZAGG serves as a forum for sharing views and information about accessible graphics. It is open to anyone in Australia and New Zealand with an interest in accessible graphics: consumers, producers, teachers, disability support staff, parents, producers of print graphics, and more. ANZAGG is a standing subcommittee of the Round Table.
• APH Guide to Designing Tactile Illustrations for Children's Books:
  Guide to Designing Tactile Illustrations for Children's Books by Suzette Wright, American Printing House for the Blind.
• BrailliantTouch Accessible Signage: Design and Manufacturing of accessible signage for people with vision impairment. Includes Braille, tactile maps and audio signage.
• Creating Interfaces, Creating Experiences:
  YouTube video with TEDx Talk (2013) by Chelsea Cook, a physics major at Virginia Tech (USA). Chelsea questions how we handle problems and how we can solve them by taking another perspective. She explains how 3D models enrich her experience and understanding of maths and science. Great inspiration for science teachers, 3D modelers, and students with vision impairments who want to study science.
• Guidelines and Standards for Tactile Graphics:
  Developed as a Joint Project of the Braille Authority of North America and the Canadian Braille Authority L'Autorité Canadienne du Braille (2010).
• Tactile Graphic Image Library:
  Growing database with tactile graphics templates that can be enhanced for your needs. Free account registration and Forum. American Printing House for the Blind
• Tactile Astronomy:
  Making the Universe Touchable. This section of Amazing Space features a Tactile Image Library of many of the latest Hubble images designed to be downloaded and printed on microcapsule paper, then "puffed" in a thermal fuser. These specially prepared PDFs include Braille headings and embedded text for screen readers that describes the featured celestial object and what astronomers are learning about it.
• The Tactile Graphics Website:
  Aims to promote excellence in the design and production of braille graphics. Basic information on production methods and techniques, new products to assist in production of braille graphics (USA).

3D Printing

• Australian and New Zealand Accessible Graphics Group (ANZAGG): ANZAGG is a standing subcommittee of the Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities and serves as a forum for sharing views and information about accessible graphics. Accessible graphics are those which can be accessed by people with a print disability. Methods to make graphics accessible may include clear print enlargement, tactile graphics, descriptions, 3D printing, image recognition software, haptics, audio labels, sonification and refreshable graphic displays. Please contact leona.holloway ‘at’ monash.edu if you would like to contribute.
• Ballyland Ballicopter in 3D: The 3D printed model of Ballicopter© is a valuable learning tool that was developed by Sonokids in support of Ballyland Rotor app, which teaches children the Rotor gesture in VoiceOver. The 3D tool enables a child with vision impairment to explore the spinning propeller and practice the different ways to do the Rotor gesture, before performing it on the screen with the app. The model also allows the child to get tactually familiar with Ballicopter, the main character in the app. Use a 3D printer to print free file.
• Ballylanders in 3D: The 3D printed model of all five Ballylanders have now been released by Sonokids in support of the Ballyland apps and software. The 3D tools enable a child with vision impairment to explore to get tactually familiar with Ballicopter, Wheelie, Tinkleball, Babballoony and Wheelie, the characters in the apps. Use a 3D printer to print free files.
• Braille Bricks Generator: Use a 3D printer to create your own Braille LEGO bricks. You can download the files for free. Designed by Singular Device Maker Studio. On Thingiverse you can find many files to 3D print.
• Btactile Graphic Metalibrary: Search for 3D models and tactile graphics across multiple repositories. Use a 3D printer to print.
• 3D Druck Augenbit: German collection of 3D models, with a few also designed for vision impaired students Search for ‘blinde’ (blind) or ‘sehbehinderte’ (vision impaired). Maths and geometry and Pyramid of Cheops. Use a 3D printer to print.
• Tactile Education Project: Use a 3D printer to print the free models created as part of this project “3D printing for tactile education” that aims to enhance education for people with visual impairments by the development of tactile resources. For more information about the models or the project, contact r.brandsma 'at' accessibility.nl. Funded by Vereniging Bartimeus Sonneheert (The Netherlands).
• Thingiverse: Large Open Source repository of free, existing 3D models. Use a 3D printer to print. The Australia & New Zealand Accessible Graphics Group (ANZAGG) also contributes 3D models to Thingiverse.