1. Surveying & Assessing an Exciting New
Frontier of Tactile Graphic Technology for
Blind and Low Vision Students
TUESDAY, June 23, 2015
9:00 AM-10:00 AM
4. 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
11. NBP’s Original Publications
Technology 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.
17. 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.
19. 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.
23. 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?
29. 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.
32. 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
42. Contact Information
National Braille Press
Brian Mac Donald bmacdonald@nbp.org
Jackie Sheridan jsheridan@nbp.org
Nicole Noble nnoble@nbp.org
www.nbp.org
