[accessibleimage] Re: Tactile Graphics Options

Hi Kay,
I understand the challenge you raise between the thermoformed masters and 
the "toaster"-type drawings.  The great thing now is that with the CADCAM 
production methods that are available, it doesn't have to take hours to 
produce the masters, and the cost has been substantially reduced. This is 
particularly true, if the drawings don't require print.  A
You are right, though, that these high end drawings will never be as cheap 
to produce as those that one can produce with a tiger or a 
"toaster.  Braille-reading students prefer them for the same reason that a 
print reader prefers output from a laser printer to that of a dot matrix 
printer.  Your statistic about the amount of graphical content in textbooks 
is truly mind-boggling. Not all of this content will benefit from being 
"tactilized," of course.  But even if we restrict the discussion to 
representations of data or maps, the quantity is clearly overwhelming.  I 
think that while the Tiger drawings may make a good deal of sense for 
trying to capturethe content of a particular textbook, there is a place for 
high resolution masters in the preparation of what might be called core 
graphics within a particular discipline.  these would be drawings that are 
considered essential.  These could be made in high quantity, so that  the 
process is cost effective.  as a user of tactile graphics myself, I think 
that students should have the opportunity to experience all the richness 
that we can offer them in the presentation of their graphics.  If they get 
their rirst idea, of basic graphical concepts that we want them to have, 
from a very high lresolution drawing, I suspect that this concept will stay 
with them, and that they would then be able to transfer their tactile 
awareness to a drawing of the same thing rendered in another format, butt 
where the essentials of the drawing were preserved.  I can't prove that but 
it would make for an interesting study.  Perhaps someone's done it 
already.  What I do know is that I became passionate about tactile graphics 
in the late '70's, when I got the chance to put my hands on a  map that 
John Gill had managed to produce using a milling machine, a molding 
process, and thermoforming.  Those maps invited me to explore!  It was a 
dream to me that this quality of pictorial representation should be 
available to blind students.  I think it's still a valid goal.  I think the 
need for graphics is so enormous that there is room for many kinds of 
presentation.

Thanks for listening.

Karen

  Good morning, Lisa, from Westside Schools in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A.  You
>have expressed so succinctly, my own feelings on the current and somewhat
>heated controversy regarding TGD and TTT:
>
>"All I can say is the world is waiting for both your
>contributions and with great thanks."
>
>This list is not the place to play out this type of controversy, but it
>does offer information to the listers that should increase our awareness
>and understanding of what is happening on the front lines in the
>development of tactile graphics software and hardware.
>
> From my experience in team-teaching computer-assisted tactile graphics for
>the National Braille Association, I have come to realize that currently
>there are two separate entities to be considered.  One focuses on
>producing masters for production of textbooks via the thermoform method
>and then there is the faction that deals with producing tactile graphics
>on site--in schools or IMCs.  And, right now, I think it is fair to say
>that "never the twain shall meet."  It seems to remain a given that
>thermoformed tactile graphics are preferred by the majority of braille
>readers, primarily because these graphics contain better defined textures
>and dimensions.  At a recent NBA workshop which compared methods and
>techniques used for producing tactile graphics, there were some incredibly
>beautiful masters for thermoform painstakingly produced by participants.
>In my opinion, they should be displayed in a museum--they were
>masterpieces!  However, the down side is: just one master can take many
>hours to produce and contracting transcribers are realizing that the
>demand for inclusive tactiles is quickly eating away at their profits.
>Graphic content accounts for over 50%, on average, of today's textbooks.
>This makes the task of complete tactile replication via masters for
>thermoforming an almost impossible one for private transcribers.  Also,
>one has to ask: How many of these tactile drawings are actually used?
>
>I think to myself how wonderful it would be if all braille reading
>students could have the sensory advantage of either a TGD audio pad or a
>TTT viewing device.  If this were possible, then graphics could be quickly
>executed with a variety of computer software with full acceptance by the
>readers.  It seems that, if rules and guidelines are adhered to and point
>symbols standardized, then, for example, a Tiger produced graphic could be
>positioned on the viewing device where audio description would easily and
>effectively replace the multi-dimensions native to thermoformed tactiles,
>although the Tiger CAN also produce multi-dimensional tactile drawings.  I
>see that American Thermoform will be a distributor for the TTT sometime
>this summer.  How ironic!  Of course, thermoformed tactiles explored on an
>audio viewing device would be a delight,  but there is every reason to
>believe that "toaster" raised line drawings and Tiger tactiles would also
>be greatly enhanced and well received.  This needs to be put to the test!
>
>The challenge lies in how to cross the bridge from where we are currently
>with thermoform being the standard for textbook tactiles into the brave
>new world of using audio viewing devices to enhance ALL tactile drawings
>and then finding a way to place these devices in every facility or
>institution where required.  Why shouldn't an audio viewing device be as
>critical to braille reading students as a tape player or screen reader?
>It makes perfect sense to me!  Then, textbooks could contain Tiger or TGD
>drawings on" beautiful braille paper" with a caveat stating that an audio
>viewing device is required to FULLY access the tactile graphics contained
>within.  I hope I'm not a "voice in the wilderness,"  but I sporadically
>feel compelled to share my thoughts on the growing crisis of tactile
>graphics delivery. -- kt

Karen Luxton Gourgey, Ed.D
Director, Computer Center for visually Impaired People
Baruch college, city University of New York
Box H-0648
1 Bernard Baruch Way
New York, NY 10010
Phone: 646 312-1426
Fax: 646 312-1421
e-mail Karen_Gourgey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.Baruch.CUNY.edu/CCVIP

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