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

Thanks for the kind words, Vince. I've never taken the time to write up the experience -- though a couple of other people have also suggested it. 

Barry



Vince Thacker wrote:
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 <mailto:bkleider@xxxxxxxxxx>
    *To:* accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
    <mailto: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 <http://saweb.memphis.edu/sds/>

    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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