Abigale Stangl, Research Assistant and PhD Student- ATLAS Institute at the University of Colorado

The Tactile Picture Book Project

- Opportunities for Design, Customization, and Access to Tactile Picture Books Through Digital Fabrication and Broadscale Community Engagement

Many caregivers and stakeholders invested in supporting children with visual impairments have shown interest in using 3D printing to make accessible tactile materials. Unfortunately, the task of designing and producing 3D printable tactile pictures is far more complex than simply learning to use personal fabrication tools.

In this session Abigale will discuss the trade-offs and use cases for using 3D printers to make tactile pictures. Abigale and her research team have investigated the opportunities associated with using digital fabrication methods to make accessible tactile materials. The goal was to investigate how to increase the supply of accessible tactile materials using digital fabrication tools and educational activities. In this session she will present an overview of findings from a series of research. This including the use of 3D printed pictures as design probes to learn about stakeholders teaching/learning needs. The requirements for the meta-design of a collaborative tactile picture design application. The results from co-design activities to involve people with visual impairments in the design of tactile pictures. As well as results from engaging secondary school youth in the universal design and 3D printed tactile materials for people with visual impairment.