Post on 25-Dec-2015
Surveying & Assessing an Exciting New Frontier of Tactile Graphic Technology for
Blind and Low Vision Students
TUESDAY, June 23, 20159:00 AM-10:00 AM
NBP Non-Profit Mission Values
• To be a world leader in producing high quality, affordable, braille materials
• To develop innovative technologies that support braille literacy for blind and visually impaired children and adults.
• Provide access to information that empowers blind people to actively engage in work, family, and community affairs.
• Provide the tools to support braille literacy
NBP’s Original PublicationsTechnology books, guides
• Apps for iPhone• MS 2007 w/ Jaws• IE 8 w/ Jaws• Google• How to use iPad• Everything you Need to
know to Use the Mac w/ Yosemite & VoiceOver
• General topics:• Travel, cooking, wine,
medical info, etc.
Business to BusinessProduct Manuals, Airline Safety Cards, Bank Brochures, Awards,
Business Cards, etc.
Tactile GraphicsMethods:
• Collage• Tiger-embossed• Thermoforms• Laser Cut• 3D Printed• UV Ink• Swellform
Challenges of Assessments for BVI
• Standardized assessments are limited for students using braille and tactile graphics. Braille displays show only one line, and cost thousands of dollars. No affordable method for displaying a digital tactile graphic exists.
• Eliminating certain test items b/c of ineffective technology or cost. (When assessments go digital- must include tactile graphic output also)
• NBP recognized the immediate need for a “tablet” for the blind that can do braille and real-time digital output of tactile graphics and images.
Center for Braille Innovation
• NBP is researching technology solutions for braille and tactile graphics: electrostatic haptics, micro-fluidics, SMAs EAPs.
• b2g: 20-cell portable refreshable braille computer.• Ideal: A full-page braille and tactile graphic
tablet.• Primary Collaborations: M.I.T., University of
Michigan, Northeastern University, Disney Research Lab.
Factors to Consider in Design: Challenges in the development of electronic tactile graphics—electronic media have never been tested.
• Material durability, cost, ease of production• We need to collaborate, and develop STANDARDS
for 3D electronic tactile graphics. – IMLS 3D Printing started last week
• Ability to digitally render points, lines, textures, height, possibly even color for low vision.
• We need to develop the ability to manipulate tactile graphics in real-time like a tablet.
• Will there be a relearning of tactile skills based on the mode of delivery?
• Tactile exhaustion/desensitization from interpreting electronic graphics?
Pneumatic Systems
• Another approach to raising braille pins with pneumatic lines.
• Valves and a pressure cavity on membrane to raise braille.
• Based on method of PCB fabrication, hand held medical devices.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Shape Memory material – not named yet• Still proprietary process• Industrial applications• Hundreds of times the force of piezo• Micro scale with less power requirements • Withstand 1000 degrees C• No heat required for application