[Blindmath] poorly prepared tactile graphics

[Debbie Willis]

There are many variables that factor into the readability of a tactile graphic (TG), including the specifications and amount of time provided to the accessible media producer (AMP).  If I may be of assistance by reviewing a few of the TGs along with the (corresponding) original print items and providing you with some feedback/suggestions on making the TGs any more readable, I would be happy to do so. I would prefer not to be given any information regarding the transcriber or accessible media producer.  There is a document on our website (www.aph.org) titled "Making Tests Accessible for Students with Visual Impairments."  This document includes some helpful guidelines and considerations for producing readable tactile graphics.  It also provides a bit of advice about aspects to consider when selecting an accessible media producer.  Click on the Accessible Tests Department banner and look under Publications to locate this document.

Best Wishes,
Debbie Willis, Director
Accessible Tests Department
American Printing House for the Blind
dwillis at aph.org
800/223-1839, ext. 311
502/899-2311

-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lucia Hasty
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 2:46 AM
To: blindmath at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Blindmath] poorly prepared tactile graphics

Dear Blind Collegian,
I understand your frustration about unreadable math graphics. It is
interesting that the agency who produced your textbook insists that it is
transcribed correctly. The end user must be the judge of how usable the book
is, not the agency who produced it. Missing and incorrect numbers are
definitely unacceptable, as are unreadable graphs.

I wanted to let you know about a soon-to-be braille code for tactile
graphics, probably what Connie was referring to in her reply. There actually
is a BANA code for some tactile graphics that was adopted in1983 and is
titled "Guidelines for Mathematical Diagrams". It includes extensive
information about producing graphs as well as other math diagrams. That
document has been incorporated into the new "Guidelines and Standards for
Tactile Graphics", which is currently in peer review through the end of
April, will be revised based on review comments in early summer, and is
expected to be an adopted BANA code by fall. This work is based on a joint
effort between Braille Authority of North America (BANA) and the Canadian
Braille Authority (CBA). The guidelines and standards have been established
following an extensive review of existing research and a recent research
project conducted by the two braille authorities. The study gathered input
from high school and college students (who are life-long braille readers) in
both Canada and the US. An extensive section on math diagrams is included,
as well as important design standards about readability, including minimum
size and relative position of components within a graphic. The goal of the
Guidelines and Standards is to have a code that will provide consistent
presentation of graphics, in all subject areas.

I realize that doesn't help the poorly produced books you have now. My
recommendation would be to work with a sighted reader to review the graphs,
since it sounds as though there are a number of problems with accuracy
throughout the book.  For the next set of texts, you can ask the producing
agency if they are using the current BANA code for tactile graphics.

You are welcome to contact me off list (email below) if I can be of any
further help.
--
Lucia Hasty, Chair, Tactile Graphics Technical Committee
Braille Authority of North America
Lucia at TactileGraphics.org
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