[BlindMath] Advice on handling the visual side of mathematics

[Sean Loraas]

Amaan,

Amaan,

When a student finds tactile tools helpful, we often provide a simple
tactile graphing kit to supplement (not replace) detailed descriptions.

The key component is access to blank tactile graph templates (e.g.,
raised-line swell paper or braille graphics via an embosser). These can
include simple grids, Cartesian planes, or Quadrant I graphs, even polar
graphs,  based on what’s used in the course. Disability offices can usually
provide these or help source them. They should be customized to your needs,
with braille labels or no labels as needed.

A basic kit includes:

   -

   Blank tactile graph templates
   -

   A base (cork board, plywood, or thick cardboard)
   -

   Map pins
   -

   Push pins in a few distinct shapes
   -

   Optional: string or rubber bands to connect points

Students can explore instructor-provided graphs or plot points themselves
to “sketch” a graph. Pins can be placed independently or with a scribe, and
the result can be transferred to a visual sketch or photographed for
submission. In many cases, a table of values can and should be accepted as
the graph.

I have put together a guide to assembling a kit, with directions for both
students and support staff/instructors. I have also been developing a
non-visual guide to transformations of functions, that uses tables to apply
transformations in a way that results in the new function in table form,
without the usual visual emphasis. Send me a message and I can share those
with you.

Hope that helps.

Sean Loraas
 Accessibility Technician
 Alt. Text & Media
   Austin Community College
   Eastview Campus
    Office: 2140