[NFBC-Info] Adapting Comics for Blind and Low Vision Readers

[Matthew Gip]

Please see the below message for those who may be interested.  

Best,
Matthew Gip

> Dear Matthew Gip (If I may), and The California Association of Blind Students (CABS)
> 
> We're writing to share about an upcoming symposium we thought may be of interest to you. 
> 
> "Adapting Comics for Blind and Low Vision Readers" 
> 
> Presented by: San Francisco State University's Comic Studies Department, The Program for Vision Impairments, and the Longmore Institute on Disability. 
> Sponsored by: Amazon
> When: Thursday, August 12, 9 am PT - 4:15 pm PT, full agenda available here.
> Free to attend, ASL, Live CART, and audio description provided, register now at: Tinyurl.com/AdaptingComics
> 
> Comics are currently a dominant force in popular culture, while simultaneously being increasingly recognized
> as a significant means for supporting literacy and a valuable tool for education in the classroom. Stories told in
> their pages often promote diversity and chronicle the lives of the marginalized, and yet the form itself
> completely leaves out the visually impaired audience. With the mass popularity of comics, the industry is in
> dire need to find ways and set stand standards to create better access to comics for blind and low vision
> readers. 
> 
> Join us for a one-day, free, virtual public international symposium in August 2021 to explore the many tactics for developing greater
> access in comics, from audio description to tactile- and haptic-based emerging technologies. The voices of
> blind experts will be central, supporting the disability rights slogan of “Nothing About Us Without Us,” in dialogue with comic artists and access innovators with and without vision impairments. 
> 
> 9-9:30am PT. Welcome and Keynote
> 9:30-10:45am PT. Panel 1, Audio Approaches to Accessible Comics
> 11am-12:15pm PT. Panel 2, Tactile Approaches (2.5D and 3D) to Accessible Comics
> 12:15pm-1pm PT. Lunch!
> 1pm-2:15pm PT. Panel 3, Emerging Technologies: Haptics and Screen-Based Approaches
> 2:30-3:45pm PT. Panel 4, Depictions of Blindness in Comics
> 3:45-4:15pm PT. Keynote and Closing
> 
> Please help us spread the word about this important conversation with your constituents! 
> 
> Graphic flyer attached. For the audio version of the flyer, visit: https://tinyurl.com/ComicsAudioFlyer
> 
> Thank you for your help. We hope you will join us on August 12!
> 
> ~ The Longmore Institute on Disability
> 
> 
> Event flyer description: SFSU Program in Visual Impairments, Comic Studies, Longmore Institute on Disability present: Adapting Comics for Blind & Low Vision Readers. 1 day virtual symposium! Aug. 12, 9am-4pm PT. 4 panels with experts in access, blindness, & comics explore creative/technological approaches to open this historically visual medium to blind & low vision readers. How can a visual medium be made accessible? (drawing of an eye). Audio description (drawing of an ear with soundwaves), tactile approaches (drawing of a hand exploring tactile media), emerging technologies (drawing of a finger activating a touch screen and person wearing a headset), & depictions of blindness in comics (drawing of daredevil against a background of concentric circles). What new possibilities might emerge! AD/ASL/CART provided. For other requests: beitiks at sfsu.edu. Registration: https://tinyurl.com/AdaptingComics. Supported by the College of Liberal & Creative Arts. Presenting sponsor: Amazon 
>