[accessibleimage] Re: a question about a scanner

Hello Janet,

 

I appreciate Ike Presley's comments on the ease of scanning images and
printing them on a Tiger embosser (since I work for the company that makes
Tiger embossers). And I agree that images made for the eyes are often too
detailed to be interpreted through the hands. This is one of the reasons
ViewPlus just released a product called IVEO. Using the IVEO software, one
can take a tactile image like the US map described by Ike Presley and place
it on the IVEO touchpad to interact with the image. Then, besides having the
ability to add speaking tags to parts of the image (perhaps to label the
names of the states), a blind person can also independently zoom in and
expand sections that appear "cluttered" to the finger. Whether your students
give you information in computer files or on paper, the IVEO Converter
software can import the image and text automatically, so all you have to do
is print it out on a Tiger and place it on the IVEO touchpad to interact
with it tactually while receiving audio (speaking) feedback.

 

I hope this helps a little. Good luck!

 

Jeff

_________________________________________

Jeff Gardner

Vice President, Sales and Marketing

ViewPlus Technologies

541.754.4002 x 202 (ph)

866.836.2184 x 202 (toll free)

541.738.6505 (fax)

 <mailto:jeff.gardner@xxxxxxxxxxxx> jeff.gardner@xxxxxxxxxxxx

 <http://www.viewplus.com> www.viewplus.com

_________________________________________

 

  _____  

From: accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ike Presley
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 6:38 AM
To: accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [accessibleimage] Re: a question about a scanner

 

Hi Janet,

 

I've seen this sort of thing happen many times. A well meaning person not
familiar with our field sees some new technology and assumes that it is the
perfect answer for some problem. What your director probably saw was the
Tiger embosser connected to a computer and a scanner. Indeed, you can scan
an image and then have the image embossed on the Tiger. It's a relatively
simple process. Unfortunately the results may not always be what you want or
need. 

 

One of the biggest problems with tactile graphics is "clutter." In many
cases, elements of a graphic may be so close to each other that when they
are embossed it will be difficult to distinguish between each of these items
or elements. For example: an outline map of the US on 81/2 x 11 inch paper
will show all the states. However, the smaller states of the northeast will
be somewhat difficult to see visually but most people can make it out if
detailed information is not needed. This image can easily be scanned into a
computer using most commercial scanners. The file can be saved and then
embossed on a Tiger embosser. The Tiger will produce a good reproduction of
the image. However, when you try to distinguish the borders of the
northeastern states you will find that it is almost impossible to determine
the difference between Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The
dots representing the borders will be so close to each other that you will
most likely not be able to distinguish them.

 

Depending on the complexity of the graphical information provided by your
students you may be able to assist them. But as you can see from the example
above it could be quite difficult to tactual perceive the minute difference
that may exist in a student's work. I think that you will want to have
someone create a tactile graphic of the "graphic organizers and story webs"
so that you can learn how these graphics are displayed. I'm not exactly sure
what the director means by "graphic organizers and story webs" but I'm
thinking it might be something like the organizational schemes achieved with
the computer programs Inspiration and Kidspiration. I think that once you
understood how these organizational diagrams are constructed you will be
able to discuss each student's work verbally and use a model of one of the
diagrams to provide feedback to the student. I think it is doable, but it
will take some training on your part with someone who is familiar with the
graphical information and a good communicator.

 

Well, I've probably told you more than you ever wanted to know, but this is
a tricky area of access. Timely access to graphical information is available
with a scanner, computer, and Tiger embosser, but the usefulness of that
information will vary from item to item.

 

Good luck and please feel free to contact me if I can be of any further
assistance.

Ike

Ike Presley, Chair
AER Division  5 - Information and Technology 

Ike Presley
American Foundation for the Blind
National Literacy Center
100 Peachtree St., Suite 620
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-525-2303
Please visit our website: www.afb.org

If you wish to subscribe to the Braille Help listserv send a blank message
to
       brlhelp-afb-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
and you will be added automatically.

The American Foundation for the Blind -- the organization to which Helen
Keller devoted over 40 years of her life -- is a national nonprofit whose
mission is to eliminate the inequities faced by the 10 million Americans who
are blind or visually impaired.

 

  _____  

From: accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Janet
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2005 6:27 PM
To: accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [accessibleimage] a question about a scanner

Hi List,

 

I am a totally blind teacher intern majoring in elementary special
education. I will begin my student teaching this fall. 

 

the director of Special education at my university went to the CEC
conference last April. She has had some concern whether or not I am capable
of performing essential functions of the job as a teacher. One of her main
issues of concern is my ability to assist sighted students with images such
as graphic organizers and story webs. So when she discovered information on
this "scanner" she was very excited. 

 

She described it to me thus:

 

It is a scanner with the ability to scan images and print them out as exact
images in a form of "Braille", something tactile that the blind person can
identify through touch. 

She gave me information on this scanner and other things she had discovered
at the CEC conference. When I went to read the brochures and pamphlets she
had given me, I found nothing on this scanner. I am thinking I have been the
one to loose the information. It was a while before I finally had time to
investigate all the materials she brought me. 

 

So after the long explanation, Has anybody heard of a scanner similar to the
one above described? I haven't but then I haven't been looking for anything
like that.

Thanks for your information.

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