1. Tips and Techniques for Creating Quality Tactile Graphics

Betsy Burnham, Yan Zhang

ATIC, APH

June, 2006

2. Acknowledgements

  • The information and examples in this presentation were gathered from many resources, including publications, conferences, workshops, websites, and mail lists by APH, NBA, BANA, CBA, AFB, CTEVH, TSBVI, and NCTD, etc. We wish to express our sincere appreciation for their generous contribution.
  • Particular thanks to Lucia Hasty for allowing the use of information she has shared through workshops and articles.

3. Tactile Graphics

Picture of a braille reader examining a tactile graphic

4. Tactile Graphics

  • A tactile graphic is a representation of pictorial information in a relief form that is to be interpreted by touch.
  • The concept and content of the graphic are represented by a set of tactile symbols selected to be easily read and understood.
  • A tactile graphic is not an actual reproduction of the print graphic, or a tactile “photocopy” of the original.

5. Common Production Methods

  • Collage
  • Direct use
  • Thermoform
  • Foil
  • Thermoform
  • Computer-Assisted Graphics
  • Microcapsule paper
  • Tiger Embosser
  • Ink or resin deposit method (Tactile Vision, Graphtact, etc.)
  • Hand-Drawn Graphics
  • Microcapsule paper
  • Quick-Draw paper, etc.

6. Collage

  • Collage graphics are most effective in conveying information when they are used directly.
  • Wide choice of materials enables the creation of many different textures and various heights.
  • Thermoform copies of collage graphics often lose some tactile distinction and may be much less readable than the master.

7. Collage Materials

  • Areas: leather, wood, sandpaper, cardboard, fabric, paper towel, textured paper, and tooling
  • Lines: cotton string, carpet thread, cardboard strip, candlewick, paper or cloth covered floral wire, and tooling
  • Points: punch out cardboard, chipboard, or leather, and tooling
  • Avoid heat-sensitive materials if collage graphic is to be thermoformed.

8. Collage Sample

Picture of a collage graphic

9. Thermoform of Collage

Picture of a thermoform copy of the collage graphic

10. Foil

  • Foil allows distinctive lines and textures, and varying heights.
  • The graphics are created as a mirror image of the original from the back of the foil sheet.
  • Sharp edges and perforation of the foil can be dangerous, therefore, a thermoform copy is necessary.

11. Foil Materials

  • Heavy gauge aluminum foil
  • Tools:
  • APH Tactile Graphics Kit
  • Area templates for textures
  • Spur wheels for lines
  • Point symbol tools
  • Other spur wheels, Howe Press tools, stencils, etc.
  • Venting holes are needed for thermoforming both collage and foil graphics.

12. Foil Sample

Picture of a foil graphic

13. Thermoform of Foil

Picture of a thermoform copy of the foil graphic

14. Computer-Assisted Graphics

  • Resolution, effectiveness, and distinctiveness are highly dependent on production method.
  • Limited variation in textures and height for most currently available production methods.

15. Computer-Assisted Graphics

Standard commercial graphics software

  • CorelDRAW
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Macromedia Freehand
  • Draw feature of MS Word, etc.

16. Microcapsule paper sample

Picture of a tactile graphic on microcapsule paper

17. Tiger Embosser Sample

Picture of a Tiger embossed graphic sample

18. Tactile Graphics Users

  • The interpretation and reading of a tactile graphic is a skill that must be taught to a braille reader.
  • Students who are blind or visually impaired gather information differently than sighted students.

19. Visual vs. Tactual Perception

  • Visual: Instant Overview
  • All parts of an object are observed.
  • The relationship to other objects is noticed.
  • Tactual: Sequential Observation
  • One part of an object can be felt at a time.
  • Entire image has to be built up out of the components.
  • Relationship with other objects can be lost.

20. Conceptual Differences

Which drawing depicts a chair?

Drawings of an empty square, a filled square, and a stick drawing of the side view of a chair

21. Conceptual Differences

Which drawing depicts a glass?

Drawings of a circle, a side view of a glass without the top bar, and a side view of a glass with the top bar

22. Selection Criteria

  • Is the information a repeat of facts in the text?
  • Would the information be more meaningful in text form?
  • Does the graphic require the reader to use visual discrimination or visual perception?
  • Is the object unavailable, too large, too small, or too dangerous to examine by touch?
  • Does the student need the information in the graphic to participate in classroom discussion, answer questions, etc.?

23. Example 1

Picture of the four stages of the complete metamorphosis with labels

No tactile needed.

24. Example 2

Picture of a food web

Only labels and arrows needed.

25. Example 3

Picture of an activity of naming the objects

Visual discrimination, omit tactile

26. Design Principles

  • Choose the best production method for the content of graphic.
  • Keep the user in mind: age, grade level, experience with tactile, etc.
  • Design specifically for reading by the fingertips, not eyes.

27. Design Principles

  • Preserve the original purpose.
  • Make the tactile as simple and clear as possible.
  • Minor changes are allowed without distorting proportion.
  • Present tactile graphics with written supporting information, i.e. key, additional headings, labels, etc.

28. Design Principles

Avoid Clutter

  • Resizing
  • Enlarge the print diagram to provide clarity.
  • If student is to measure the length of an object, do not enlarge.
  • Simplification
  • Omit unnecessary information and decorative details.
  • Replace complex objects with simple shapes.
  • Replace 3-D view with a 2-D side or front view, or a cross section, depending on content.

29. Design Principles

Picture of a 3-D view of a room with furniture, lamps, pictures, fireplace, and arrows fanning out from the fire

Simplification needed:

  • Omit sofa, chair, lamps, pictures, etc.
  • Change to 2-D front view.
  • Draw and label fireplace and heat radiations only.

30. Design Principles

Avoid perspective.

Picture of a perspective view of a woman painting a wall

31. Design Principles

Avoid hiding part of one object behind another.

Picture of two sets of overlapping seeds and leaves

32. Tactile Symbols

  • Four basic types: areas, lines, points, and labels.
  • Limit the number of different symbols used in one graphic.
  • Use distinctive symbols:
  • More prominent symbols for more important information.
  • Be consistent throughout a transcription.
  • Sizing and spacing:
  • Areas: minimum diameter 1/4 inch (6 mm).
  • Lines: minimum length 1/2 inch (12 mm).
  • Point Symbol: minimum diameter 1/4 inch.
  • Space between components: at least 1/8 inch (3 mm).

33. Keys to Readability

  • Variation in height
  • Contrast in texture
  • Sufficient empty space around each component
  • Large enough area for the fingers to move within that area to gain tactual perception

34. Proofreading

  • Keep the user in mind, proofreading by eye alone is insufficient. Close your eyes and examine your graphics by touch.
  • Person creating the tactile should not be the one proofing it.
  • If to be thermoformed, the thermoform copy, not the original master, should be proofread for an accurate perception.

35. Proofreading

Proofreading Checklist

  • The tactile graphic represents the purpose and content of the print graphic.
  • The tactile graphic is tactually discernible.
  • All braille text is correct.
  • Placement and format of the key are appropriate.
  • Symbols (areas, lines, points, and labels) in key match symbols in graphic.
  • The use of symbols is consistent throughout a transcription.
  • Measurement of objects matches print size.
  • Print and braille page numbers, etc.

36. References

  • American Printing House for the Blind (1997). Guidelines for Design of Tactile Graphics.
  • Barth, John L. (1981). Tactile Graphics Guidebook.
  • Braille Authority of North America (1983). Guidelines for Mathematical Diagrams (distributed by NBA).
  • Edman, Polly K. (1992) Tactile Graphics (AFB Press)
  • Hasty, Lucia. Introduction to Tactile Graphics.
  • National Braille Association. Bulletin, Fall 2005, Winter 2005-2006, Spring 2006.

37. List of Websites

  • Canadian Braille Authority
  • Lucia Hasty
  • National Braille Association, Inc.
  • National Centre of Tactile Diagrams
  • TexasSchool for the Blind and Visually Impaired