[accessibleimage] Re: Topographical maps and student who is blind

Barry, this is such a useful and clear explanation that I'm just wondering 
whether you've written up your expertise anywhere on the web (apart from here). 
If so, I would be pleased to link to it from my own web site.

Vince.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Barry Kleider 
  To: accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 4:04 AM
  Subject: [accessibleimage] Re: Topographical maps and student who is blind


  Philip,

  I'm a professional photographer and a teaching artist on the Minnesota State 
arts board's artists' roster. during three residencies, I taught photography to 
both congenitally blind and visually-impaired students at Minnesota's State 
Academy for the Blind in Faribault. I won't claim to have definitive answers 
for you -- but I put quite a bit of time and research into different methods of 
"translating" photos into tactile graphics and testing the results with blind 
volunteers.

  I finally chose two different media for my "faux-toe-graphs": Solarplate and 
Swelltouch paper.

  Swelltouch (www.americanthermoform.com) is easier to print and cheaper to 
use. Solarplate (www.solarplate.com) is more durable and more hands-on for 
students. After scanning, cropping and sizing your images you need to change 
them into half-tones. This removes visual clutter and enhances the student's 
chance to read the image. This is relatively easy to do manually and pro-grade 
photo software packages all have this as a standard menu option.

  Print your Swelltouch paper on a laser printer and then run it through their 
heat machine. A couple years ago it was $1/sheet.

  Solarplate is a bit more tricky to use. (And at $5/sheet quite a bit more 
expensive.) I chose to use it was because it gave me a chance to simulate the 
darkroom experience with my students. We created digital negatives on overhead 
transparency film and made contact print exposures with UV lights. Process with 
a water wash-out and allow to harden.

  In both cases, we did a lot of audio description but it was worthwhile. Each 
has pros and cons, but overall, I would suggest you try using the Swelltouch 
paper both for cost and for predictability.

  Barry Kleider
  Minneapolis




  Phillip M Minyard (pminyard) wrote: 
    We have a student enrolled in a environmental geology class. We have tried 
enlarging some of the topographical maps and embossing them on the Tiger 
Embosser, but the student is unable to use the embossed maps. The course also 
uses aerial photographs and the only thing we have been able to do is describe 
them. Has anybody had any experience with this type of presentation, and if so, 
would you please contact me? I would be happy to receive detailed information 
on my university email.

    Thanks, Phil



    Phillip Minyard
    Disability Services Coordinator

    Student Disability Services

    University of Memphis
    110 Wilder Tower
    Memphis, TN  38152-3520
    Voice 678-2880 - fax 678-3070



    "Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten."

    B. F. Skinner





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