[Athen] Tactile Graphics

[Sean J Keegan]

> What do others do to make graphics

> accessible to blind and low-vision students?


We have transitioned our tactile graphic production to using Adobe 
Illustrator in conjunction with a Tiger Pro Gen 2 Embosser (yeah - the 
really big one).  We previously used MS Word, but ran into a variety of 
issues.  Even though there is a steep learning curve to using Adobe 
Illustrator, it has actually sped up the production of tactile graphics. 
   I have attached a copy of the instructions we follow for including 
the Braille in Illustrator files.

We have noticed one issue with using Adobe Illustrator with the Tiger 
and have not been able to determine what is happening.  For some files, 
we get a different set of dots for the same line thickness.  For 
example, we may make several thick lines, but some of the thick lines 
have a one-dot thickness whereas the other thick lines have a two-dot 
thickness when embossed.  Not a major issue, but frustrating nonetheless.

Otherwise, we have the capacity to create tactile graphics using the 
PIAF "toaster" as well as using various objects for three-dimensional 
models.  Most of the time, it depends on the subject matter and specific 
capabilities and desires of the student.

In terms of 3-D printing, there was an article about a blind student at 
UC Davis (go Ags!) who was in a chemistry class and used 3-D printing as 
a solution:
http://blueline.ucdavis.edu/2ndTier/3rdTier/3Dprinting.html

Not a cheap solution, but with the price of 3-D printers coming down 
each year this may be another possible solution for improving access to 
instructional content.

Take care,
Sean

-- 
Sean Keegan
Associate Director, Assistive Technology
Office of Accessible Education - Stanford University
http://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/oae
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: How to insert Braille in Illustrator CS4.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 324433 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://mailman12.u.washington.edu/pipermail/athen-list/attachments/20120105/54685b5f/attachment.pdf>