[New-york-news] Register for upcoming tactile graphics workshops!

[Chancey Fleet]

Dear friends, patrons, and community members:

Have you ever wished you could step into your own studio and make a tactile
floor plan, map, diagram, or piece of art when you needed it? Now you can,
at the Heiskell library!

We’re pleased to invite you to a series of free winter skill-building
workshops where you can learn how to use freely available equipment in the
library
to create your own tactile graphics and 3D models to make spatial
information more accessible.

Whether you’re a blind or visually impaired person who needs to make
graphs, drawings and models for yourself; a mobility instructor, museum
educator,
teacher, parent  or friend who wants to create graphics and models for
someone else; or an artist, designer or data visualization professional who
wants
to learn more about making high-quality, non-visually meaningful designs,
these workshops are here to help you get started. The workshops are also an
important
first step in building a network of tactile literacy supporters who can
share knowledge and ideas with one another.

Please join us: with accessible tools, training and a supportive community
of practice, we can make access happen!

Get Involved: Free Skill-building Workshops

Throughout Winter 2017-2018, the Library will offer a set of three
skill-building workshops around tactile graphics. Registration is required.
We strongly
recommend that you start by attending one of the Tactile Tactics: Best
Practices for Tactile Design sessions.  For a full list of workshops and
events
at the Heiskell Library see
our calendar.

Tactile Tactics: Best Practices for Tactile Design

Join Annie Leist, Disability Inclusion Associate at the NYC Department of
Cultural Affairs, for a workshop designed to get you thinking about how to
design
effective and meaningful tactile graphics and models to engage people with
and without vision. Explore the differences between visual and tactile
experience,
and learn how to use that awareness to thoughtfully plan, create, and
select successful tactile representations and objects to serve constituents
and engage
audiences. You’ll also review strategies on how to implement the tactiles
well, and how context can impact a tactile’s meaning.  Currently being
offered:
Tuesday December 5th (5:15 networking and refreshments, 6:00 to 7:45 PM
workshop) or Saturday February 3rd (11:00 AM networking and refreshments,
11:45
AM - 1:30 PM workshop). Please RSVP to
chanceyfleet at nypl.org
 or
212-621-0627.

2D Tactile Graphics Software and Embosser Basics
Learn how to use TactileView software to import images and prepare them to
be embossed, or to create your own designs from scratch (by drawing or using
menu-driven design).  Get to know the Index Everest embosser that turns
your designs, maps or graphs into tactile images. Discover catalogs of
ready-to-emboss
tactile designs that you can download and modify according to your needs.
Currently being offered: Saturday December 9th (2:00 - 4:00 PM) or
Thursday February
15th (5:00 - 7:00 PM). Please RSVP to
chanceyfleet at nypl.org
 or
212-621-0627.

3D Printing Basics with Accessibility in Mind
Learn how to use the Lulzbot Taz 6 3d printer safely and effectively. Find
out which filament types are best for your project, how to get accurate
information
about using different filament types and preparing them 3d printer for
them, and how to use Cura software to import, modify and print
3-dimensional designs.
Find out where to find free, downloadable 3d model files. Stay tuned for
dates.

Project Overview
We all need to understand maps, diagrams, images and other spatial
information. For people who learn and work non-visually, getting access to
quality graphics
and 3D models can be hard. Our project empowers library patrons to make
access happen with free, hands-on training about best practices in tactile
design
and free, accessible hardware and software that anyone can use to start
designing. For a more in-depth introduction to the project, read our blog
post
Announcing Dimensions: Community Tools for Creating Tactile Graphics &
Objects.

A Note for Users of Accessibility Features: We have selected the most
accessible software and hardware we could find on the market, and all
workshops will
incorporate techniques that work for users of screen readers, magnification
and other accessibility features and programs. Training on both the
visually-based
and non-visual interfaces will be provided.

Equipment Available for Community Use
To learn more or make an appointment to reserve equipment contact Chancey
Fleet at
chanceyfleet at nypl.org
 or
212-621-0627.

list of 7 items nesting level 1
• Index Everest-D V5 Braille Embosser
• TactileView computer aided design (CAD) software: import images and
prepare them for tactile, or design your own!
• LulzBot Taz 6 3d printer
• Cura software (for printing with the Lulzbot 3d printer)
• Sensational Blackboard
• E.A.S.Y. Tactile Drawing Tablet
• 3Doodler Start (low temperature 3d printing pens)
list end nesting level 1
This program is funded through The New York Public Library's Innovation
Project, which is made possible by a generous grant from the Charles H.
Revson
Foundation. Our tactile graphics embosser and software were generously
donated by the New York State Commission for the Blind. Thank you!


-- 
Chancey S. Fleet
Assistive Technology Coordinator
Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library
(212) 621-0627
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