[Nfb-science] Hello

[KEC@VISI.COM]

Hello,
    This tactile graphics is an issue that keeps coming up.  As a sighted 
person, and a "science person" who has transcribed science/math materials as 
well as tutored some blind students, I believe that the tactile graphics are 
fine if use with an educated reader who can clearly explain what you are 
feeling.  I think too often the graphic looks good to a sighted person, and 
yet is misleading to someone who doesn't see.  Also, since some people with 
visual impairment see well enough to have images enlarged on the computer, 
it is only a subset of the blind community who truly relies on tactile 
images.  I would like to see if we can have educated individuals who can 
give a verbal description that accompanies tactile images/materials.  I have 
repeated seen blind individuals not have the same understanding of a graphic 
image as sighted ones.  This is just based on the "snap shot" view that a 
sighted indivual has that is not duplicated when you are feeling the whole 
image.  Simple verbal descriptions that give an understanding of what the 
"larger picture is" and possible 3D models rather than images would be a 
great improvement. I have been trying to encourage educators of this 
approach, but they complain about the costs and state this is how it has 
always been done.  If anyone on the list agrees and have an ideas on how we 
could make this improvement, I believe that is would help many.
Karen

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kartik Sawhney" <sawhney.kartik at gmail.com>
To: "nfb-science" <nfb-science at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2010 2:05 AM
Subject: Re: [Nfb-science] Hello


> Hi,
>
> Thanks a lot Mike for the reply from your side. I wanted to know if
> these techniques enabled you to understand all sorts of diagrams with
> ease. As it is, Physics curriculum is full of diagrams only. How did
> you manage 3-dimentional figures. Further, explaining complex
> structures as loops when dealing with electrostatics becomes tough.
> Isn't it? How did you manage it then? I would request other people on
> list to kindly comment and help me out as well. Further, is the
> curriculum of the American universities as MIT  and others have a
> curriculum for Computer Sciences and Electronic Engineering which is
> suitable for completely blind students?
>
> Regards,
> -Kartik.
>
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