[Blindmath] Economical tactile graphics - Microcapsule orSwellPaper in a microwave oven?

Wed Aug 10 19:36:54 UTC 2011

A couple of professors at my school have constructed some similar tools 
which work well when there is a live tutoring session going on and a 
graphical idea needs to be conveyed right away. However, I believe RGB's 
reasoning is something like this:
In technical courses one is often asked to sketch a situation. If you are 
sighted, you may draw by hand and turn it in, or turn in a printed/emailed 
version of an image you created on the computer. If I sketch my answer on a 
draftsman, it is saved in tactile form only (not suitable to turn in as my 
homework) and must be created a second time on the computer. What I think is 
being asked is how to directly represent a digital image which only needs to 
be created once, whether through sighted assistance or available equipment. 
That way I turn in the exact image as the one I felt on paper. Am I correct?

Amanda
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Debbie Willis" <dwillis at aph.org>
To: "Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics" 
<blindmath at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 2:17 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Economical tactile graphics - Microcapsule 
orSwellPaper in a microwave oven?

> As you have suggested, Sina, for a very inexpensive version of something 
> like a DRAFTSMAN:
>
> Place the DRAFTSMAN film on top of a 6mm sheet of craft foam (readily 
> available and inexpensive at most craft stores).
>
> Draw with an ink pen.
>
> The drawn lines are not as crisp as when drawn on the DRAFTSMAN...they 
> have more of a buckled feel.
>
> However, this works in a pinch for simple graphics.
>
> The quality and readability of the DRAFTSMAN tactile graphics are better, 
> but a self-made tool that "fills the bill" is worth considering, too.
>
> Thank you, Sina-
> Debbie
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
> On Behalf Of Sina Bahram
> Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 1:52 PM
> To: 'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Economical tactile graphics - Microcapsule 
> orSwellPaper in a microwave oven?
>
> Just to shed some light on the draftsman. All it is, is a clipboard with 
> some foam on it. the phone is hard but still depresses a
> bit, so when the film paper, or transparency, really, is placed on top of 
> it and any kind of pointy, but not sharp, instrument
> presses down, the paper rises up.
>
> If cost is a concern, you can probably make something like this for around 
> $20 or so in parts, as opposed to the $180 or so that the
> draftsman sells for.
>
> Take care,
> Sina
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
> On Behalf Of Debbie Willis
> Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 1:35 PM
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Economical tactile graphics - Microcapsule or 
> SwellPaper in a microwave oven?
>
> Richard, there are also non-techy ways of creating some quick, inexpensive 
> tactile graphics. There's a really great TG-drawing tool
> called the DRAFTSMAN Tactile Drawing Board. It is a versatile tactile 
> drawing board that is used in combination with special film
> and a stylus to create instant raised-line images.  The DRAFTSMAN can be 
> used for producing simple raised-line graphics,
> demonstrating math concepts and tasks, demonstrating science concepts, 
> playing games, and much more. To read about this tool, visit
> www.aph.org and look through the current Instructional Products Catalog. 
> This product is $177 and additional packets of the film (25
> sheets) is $6.
>
> There is also the Swail Dot Inverter that can be used to construct simple 
> diagrams, graphs, maps, and more by embossing a series of
> single dots.  Braille paper (sold separately) is placed on top of the 
> 12"X12" rubber pad.  The special stylus allows dots to be
> embossed upwards by puncturing the paper on the down stroke and then 
> pulling the dot upwards on the up stroke.  It works best with
> Brailon plastic braille paper that is available from American Thermoform 
> (www.americanthermoform.com).  This product is $43.
>
> There is also Quick-Draw Paper that can be used to create instant tactile 
> graphics that are useful for a wide variety of art,
> orientation and mobility, diagramming, and educational activities.  You 
> simply draw on the paper surface with a water-based marker
> and the lines will swell instantly and become tactile.  This set of 
> materials includes 10 sheets of 8 12"X11" Quick-Draw Paper,
> instructions in large print, and two water-based markers for $32.
>
> Picture Maker: Wheatley Tactile Diagramming Kit is another useful product. 
> This fun, colorful tactile board includes a felt covered
> board measuring 20 3/4"X13", and a wide variety of Velcro-backed pieces 
> that attach to the board in an infinite number of patterns.
> It features over 100 pieces in many shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. 
> Extra hook Velcro materials is provided for helping to
> create additional tactile pieces.  The large print/braille guidebook has 
> suggestions and example layouts.  Picture Maker is $118.
> There are additional Picture Maker packets available; one is "Textured 
> Strips" and costs $79; another is "Storage Panel" which is
> $18.  There is also a set of Picture Maker Accessories: Geometric Textured 
> Shapes for $50.
>
> All of the above products are pictured and discussed in the current 
> Instructional Products Catalog available on the APH website at
> www.aph.org   I hope this information on other types of products available 
> for creating quick tactile graphics is helpful.
>
> Debbie Willis, APH
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
> On Behalf Of Richard Baldwin
> Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 11:03 AM
> To: BlindMath Mailing List
> Subject: [Blindmath] Economical tactile graphics - Microcapsule or 
> SwellPaper in a microwave oven?
>
> I keep thinking that one of the big needs in teaching STEM courses to 
> blind
> students is the need to quickly, easily, and economically create tactile
> graphics from printed graphs and images.
>
> I have read about using Microcapsule or Swell Paper, which seems like a
> reasonable approach except that the heating devices are relatively 
> expensive
> (more than the cost of an HP laptop) and not portable.
>
> Every teacher's lounge in K-12 and every student lounge in college has a
> microwave oven. Many faculty members have a microwave oven in their 
> office.
> Has anyone tried heating a printed piece of swell paper in a microwave 
> oven
> to see how it reacts?  If it doesn't react well by itself, would it help 
> to
> sandwich it between two pieces of the silver crisping cardboard that comes
> with frozen pizza? Or how about sandwiching it between two of the 
> gel-filled
> pads that are designed to be heated in a microwave oven and then applied 
> to
> sore joints? That would tend to provide a more uniform heat to the surface
> of the paper. I have been unable to find any specifications regarding the
> temperature requirements for causing the microcapsules to swell.
>
> What can we do to dramatically improve the availability of custom-made
> tactile graphics?
>
> Is there a group or list that concentrates on such issues.  I found a list
> named Adapted Graphics for the blind and visually impaired (Adapted
> Graphics) but I was unable to navigate the interface to get registered, 
> and
> in any event, there didn't appear to be any recent posts in the archives?
>
> Dick Baldwin
>
> -- 
> Richard G. Baldwin (Dick Baldwin)
> Home of Baldwin's on-line Java Tutorials
> http://www.DickBaldwin.com
>
> Professor of Computer Information Technology
> Austin Community College
> (512) 223-4758
> mailto:Baldwin at DickBaldwin.com
> http://www.austincc.edu/baldwin/
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