Making STEM Education Accessible Through Audio-Tactile Graphics for Visually Impaired Students

Audio Tactile Graphics to aid STEM education of visually impaired students

Objective

• Our overarching goal is to make STEM education accessible to BVI students by researching and developing accessible, affordable educational technologies suitable for developing countries with few resources for specialized education

Description

• A great deal of information in educational materials is conveyed visually through graphic content, creating significant barriers for blind and visually impaired (BVI) students. This IIT Madras initiative develops affordable Audio-Tactile Interactive Graphics technology ? enabling BVI students to interact with complex 2D and 3D scientific diagrams through tactile feel and audible labels, irrespective of familiarity with Braille ? facilitating collaboration with educators, 3D printed tactile material creation, and creative expression through audio-tactile design, making STEM education accessible in resource-limited developing country contexts.

Impact

• Scientific diagrams can be understood by BVI persons through tactile feel and audible labels accessible through the audio-tactile creator, Maximum use of interactive audio-tactile learning materials will benefit blind and visually impaired students by reducing costs and be duplicated in other environments, It helps BVI people collaborate with educators to create and deliver 3D printed tactile materials quickly and efficiently, BVI people will be able to express their creativity through audio-tactile design and interactive 3D printing process