There are various technologies , aids and methods concerning to accessibility

In the following upcoming slides we will be covering “ Teaching Aids for Visually Impaired “

As per the estimate of WHO there are 38

million visually impaired people of which
90% of them live in the developing world.

13 % India has more than 5 million visually

impaired people as per 2011 census (largest
for any country)
 TACTILE DIAGRAM

Tactile diagrams are a means of

conveying non-textual information
to persons with visual impairment
and may include tactile
representations of pictures, maps,
graphs, diagrams etc.

This technology is very useful in

various fields like Education where
textual content in Braille can be
enhanced using Tactile Graphics
images.
 NEED OF TACTILE DIAGRAM

• Images and diagrams that are normally used by sighted people for understanding concepts or conveying information
are useless for visually impaired people.

• Tactile Graphics are images that consist of raised lines and textures that can be used by people with visual
impairment to understand some graphical information using their sense of touch.
•
The visually impaired students are unable to pursue subjects like sciences beyond the 8th standard partly because of
lack of good diagrams explaining concepts.

• Books for visually impaired people are normally completely in Braille text with no accompanying graphical images.
Introduction of low-cost Tactile Graphics will create a noticeable improvement in the quality of education of visually
impaired people.
EXAMPLE’S OF TACTILE DIAGRAM ( MATHS )
EXAMPLE’S OF TACTILE DIAGRAM ( SCIENCE )
 PROCESSES INVOLVED IN PRODUCTION OF TACTILE DIAGRAM

Conversion SVG/ STL Master Replication

Mold
 Scalable vector
 Document
graphics  3D Printing  Vacuum Forming
 Design analysis
 Exported to STL  Adhesion on  Automated roll
 Simplification
converters braille paper forming
 Software tools
( blender )  Silicon mold  Hot Press
Coral Draw/ Adobe
 Exported to molding
/ edu tactile )
slicing software
TACTILE DESIGN
PROCESS
(CONVERSION )
Basic Design Principles
 Re-sizing the Original print graphic

• Do enlargement to convey information clearly

• Too much enlargement can lead to confusion
• When measurements are involved
• produce on exactly same size
• If tactual discrimination is required, enlarge the graphic, clearly describe
in transcriber’s note
• When scale is involved, and enlargement required then enlarge scale
and map proportionally.
• For complex diagrams, produce in sections or layers
 Simplification

• Simply as long as original intent is preserved

• Map 3D to 2D to simplify
• Show in multiple views to include the entire content
 Elimination

• Eliminate info., if not hindering with the purpose of the diagram

• Eliminate frames , decorative borders etc. except in case they convey
frame of reference
• Include secondary info. as a note, or description in transcriber’s note
 Consolidation and Distortion

• Combine
• Areas too small to depict
• Numerous symbols are used in print graphic
• Too many textures or patterns required in original print

• A very small or narrow area may be proportionally distorted to assist in

detection and labeling.
 Consolidation and Distortion

• Combine
• Areas too small to depict
• Numerous symbols are used in print graphic
• Too many textures or patterns required in original print

• A very small or narrow area may be proportionally distorted to assist in

detection and labeling.
 Decomposition

• Complex diagrams should be divided into sections or separated into

layers of information.
• Whole image must appear first to provide the reader with concept of
whole
• Information about separation must be indicated in transcriber’s note
• Points of reference should always be given while separation is done
• Logical division should be selected
• Line used to indicate the division should be a distinctly different
texture than other lines used in that graphic
 Importance of Image Descriptions

• Segments combined to build up into a whole tactile image

• The navigation description supports:
• Explaining these segments
• How they relate to each other
• Enable independence for the reader so that images may be used
unaccompanied
 Basic considerations

• Establish the main focus of the image.

• Only describe what is visible within the image
• Description outline
• Should be plain language and grammatically correct
• Use of phrases such as behind or above should be avoided
• References and perspective could be confusing concept for readers
• Use phrases like – ‘going up the page’ or ‘going down the page’
 Steps for Writing Image Descriptions

• First sentence : image heading in a single sentence

• Overview: Brief summary of the image and important components that
can be found in the image
• Presence of a locator dot
• Specify if the image has any border
• Specify if there is any accompanying key
• If there is any scale line, then describe the units and range.
• If there are braille labels, specify how they are marked, if any
particular coding has been used e.g., scientific code or non
capitalized braille code.
 Example- Zebra
• The first sentence
This is an image of a zebra standing up

• Overview
There is a locator dot shown, which will be at the top left of the page
when the image is the correct way up. It is shown from the side with its
head turned to face you on the right of the page, and its tail on the left

• Detailed navigation description

In the top right of the page the zebra’s head has two ears sticking out at
the top, two small eyes in the middle and nostrils at the bottom. Its mouth
is just below its nostrils, but it is not shown on the image.
 Example- Zebra

To the left of the head is its neck with a

hairy mane sticking up on top. Lower down and to the left is the
stripped body of the zebra, standing on all four legs, each with hooves.
On the left of the page is the tails with a little tuft of hair at the end.

• Additional Information
A zebra is similar a white horse with vertical black stripes
covering its body.
 Example 2: Bar Chart
• The first sentence
This diagram shows a generic bar chart

• Overview
There is a locator dot shown, which will be at the top left of the page
when the image is the correct way up. There are five vertical bars plotted

• Detailed navigation description

The x-axis at the bottom of the page is labeled from 0 on the left to 5 on
the right. The y-axis on the left of the page is labeled from 0 at the bottom
to 8 at the top
 Example 2: Bar Chart

• Detailed navigation description

Each point on y-axis has a dotted horizontal gridline extending across the
page. Each bar on the graph represents a different value and is therefore a
different height, with the lowest reaching 1 on the y axis and the highest
reaching 7 on the y-axis

• Additional Information
[Not required so left empty]
 SWELL TECHNOLOGY
Swell Technology

The Swell-Form Graphics Machine is a

simple method of creating tactile maps,
diagrams and graphics. Simply print your
image directly onto the Swell-Touch
paper using your printer or copy
machine. Once the desired image is on
the Swell-Touch paper simply run this
through the Machine. As the Swell-Touch
paper goes through the machine all black
areas are raised or "swelled" creating the
tactile image. The remainder of the page,
including any color remains flat
VACUUM FORMING TECHNOLOGY
3D Printing

• 3D Printing is a process for making a

physical object from a three-dimensional
digital model, typically by laying down
many successive thin layers of a material.