Swail Dot Inverter: Catalog no. 1-03610-00--$33.95
Replacement Rubber Pad: Catalog no. 1-03620-00--$7.95
Tactile Graphics Kit: Catalog no. 1-08840-00--$219.95
Tactile Graphics Guidebook only: Catalog no.
8-39100-00--$19.95
Aluminum Diagraming Foil, Roll: Catalog no. 1-04120-00--$54.95
Aluminum Diagraming Foil, Sheets: Catalog no. 1-04090-00--$16.95
This set of materials will be a help to you if you have need for only a limited number of tactile displays (if you need to make a large number of graphics, you should invest some time in studying the research on tactile graphic design and obtain access to tools specifically made for tangible graphic production, such as APH's Tactile Graphics Kit).
Tactile graphics may be used for maps of countries and continents, school campuses, or offices. They may be used for bar graphs, pie charts, or plotted curves. They can illustrate anything from children's books to anatomical charts to chemistry texts. With an understanding of the basic principles of tactile graphic design (i.e., simpler is better) and some practice, the sky's the limit!
The first section of the guidebook describes the use of the materials in the kit and suggests how other materials not included may be used. The second section is an adaptation of the Tactile Graphics Guidebook; it gives brief guidelines for designing tactile graphics, based on research showing what is effective for blind and visually impaired learners. (It should be noted that the research mainly reflects using lines and patterns embossed on paper, while the kit materials help you to lay designs on top of the paper. Some textures and lines are easily made with embossing devices but not with craft ink; likewise, the inks and areal patterns allow you to produce some designs that are impossible to make by embossing.)
The Tactile Graphics Starter Kit contains the following materials:
-- Craft Ink: This kit includes three bottles of craft ink, which
is one of several kinds available at craft stores or discount
stores. This ink allows you to draw thin raised lines (solid,
dotted, or dashed) using the bottle's applicator.
-- Fabrics and Patterns: Tactually discriminable fabrics and
patterns are included. All of them are easily made or obtained from
fabric stores.
-- Point Symbols: The paper point symbols included in the kit may
be cut out and glued to a graphic. All of the point symbols
provided have been tested and shown to be tactually discernible
from each other.
-- Alphabetical Index of Braille Signs: Braille labels are an
essential part of tactile graphics. If you don't know the braille
code, the guidebook and the Alphabetical Index of Braille Signs
will get you started (try to have an experienced braille reader
check your work before you go public with it).
-- Slate and Stylus: The slate and stylus, in combination with
the braille reference booklet, allow you to make braille labels for
the features of your graphics.
-- Guidebook: This print guidebook includes information on
general rules for making tactile graphics; use of color, lines,
point symbols, and areal patterns; samples of good and bad
graphics; a bibliography; and more.
Tactile Graphics Starter Kit: Catalog no. 1-08839-00--$TBA
Print Manual for Tactile Graphics Starter Kit only: Catalog
no. 8-08839-00--$TBA
Other products related to braille writing equipment appearing in
this catalog:
-- Braille Paper--see Paper, Binders, and Notebooks Section, page
133