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

2. NBP- Located in Boston

3. Founded in 1927 Francis Ierardi

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

5. Braille Production Methods

6. Heidelberg Presses

8. Braille Embossers

9. The Age of Digital Output: Laser Cutters, 3D Printers

10. NBP’s Products/Programs CBBC, 30 YRS – PRINT/BRL, RdBks, Bumpy Basics, G.E.

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.

12. Business to Business Product Manuals, Airline Safety Cards, Bank Brochures, Awards, Business Cards, etc.

13. NBP Education Services Standardized Assessments, Textbooks

14. Tactile Graphics Methods: Collage Tiger-embossed Thermoforms Laser Cut 3D Printed UV Ink Swellform

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.

18. Refreshable Braille Displays $5500

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.

20. b2g

21. 5-Line Demonstration July 2012 – Nitinol method

22. Full Braille Page Prototype Template = 25 rows by 40 cells

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?

24. Digital Graphics in real time (Ver2)

25. Metec Hyperbraille 4,000,000 Euro in development Product cost = 45,000 Euro

26. EAP - Plastic Sheet braille Takao Someya, Japan

27. Someya - Braille Credit Card

28. UCLA - Qibing Pei Bistable electroactive polymer (BSEP ) 40-cell block

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.

31. University of Michigan

32. Massachusetts Institute of T echnology 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

33. Electrostatic Haptics

35. Feeling raised images virtually

36. Stanford University Android Tablet Braille Keyboard

37. at Carnegie Mellon University

38. Haptic Triangle

39. Testing Station

40. Mobile Phones in the World

41. Questions?

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