[NFBWRock] Getty Images Partners with the National Federation of the Blind and Tactile Images

Wed Jan 6 19:30:18 UTC 2021

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

GETTY IMAGES PARTNERS WITH THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND AND TACTILE
IMAGES TO DELIVER 25 MILLION IMAGES TO THE WORLD'S BLIND POPULATION

JANUARY 6, 2021 - _Chatham, NY_ - Getty Images, a world leader in visual
communications, and the National Federation of the Blind, America's civil
rights and membership organization of the blind, have partnered with
Tactile Images to deliver more than 25 million images to the world's blind
population at museums, science centers, libraries, schools, and government
agencies. This initiative will significantly enhance educational
opportunities and cultural inclusion for blind and low-vision individuals
worldwide. 

"Blind people have all the same interests, concerns, and aspirations as all
who participate in our society and culture, and that culture is reflected
in the millions of images that this partnership will help us access," said
Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. "We look
forward to working with Tactile Images and Getty Images to curate a
collection that will include, inform, and inspire the blind of America and
the world." 

Getty Images, the National Federation of the Blind, and Tactile Images are
committed to participating in initiatives that provide greater
accessibility to visual resources, with an emphasis on photography and fine
art, that represent the world's people and cultures, including the blind
and others with disabilities. This commitment involves helping people fully
understand and experience the society within which they live, providing
unique educational perspectives and increasing access to content that may
have previously been inaccessible. This partnership reinforces a collective
commitment to improving accessibility for and inclusion of people from all
backgrounds, including those who are blind. 

"In a world where communication is largely visual, Getty Images is thrilled
to partner with the National Federation of the Blind and Tactile Images to
allow the blind community to more fully engage with and experience our
pictures," said Peter Orlowsky, Head of Strategic Development at Getty
Images. 

Tactile Images has several product offerings, all of which allow a blind
individual to experience and engage with traditionally visual and graphic
material through touch and sensory stimulation. Each is a unique,
one-of-a-kind work of art. To further assist in creating a more interactive
experience, braille is utilized for text, and sensors are embedded so that
when touched, a customized audio description and narrative is activated.
Components that emit unique smells can also be used. These three senses -
touch, hearing, and smell - work together in the brain to replace the sense
of sight. The blind or low-vision user creates a mental picture from this
confluence of sensory stimulation. Touching a tactile print while listening
to a coordinated audio presentation creates an enhanced kinesthetic
learning experience. 

"At Tactile Images, we are very excited that Getty Images and the National
Federation of the Blind have decided to partner with us. This partnership
will help to bring tactile imagery to the blind on a global scale," says
John Olson, Co-Founder of 3DPhotoWorks, the parent company of Tactile
Images. "I've always believed that truly 'seeing' an image involves much
more than just the sense of sight. As the notable American neuroscientist,
Dr. Paul Bach-y-Rita, once stated, 'We don't see with our eyes or hear with
our ears; these are just the receptors, seeing and hearing in fact, goes on
in the brain.' We look forward to partnering with museums, science centers,
libraries, and government agencies to make their existing content more
accessible while also creating new and innovative installations and
exhibitions." 

Tactile Images will also develop several traveling exhibitions in
collaboration with Getty Images and the National Federation of the Blind.
These exhibitions travel to museums, educational centers, and institutions
throughout the world. They include a diverse array of engaging topics and
narratives, increase community-based partnerships, and maximize an
institution's space, attendance, and participation. Furthermore, they
promote inclusion, critical skills acquisition, independence, and
self-confidence. 

For more information, visit www.tactileimages.com [2]. 

BROADCAST MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Freddie Dorn
 Executive Producer
 917-597-7616
 freddie.dorn at verizon.net 

ALL OTHER MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Bradley LaMere
 Senior Creative Officer and Vice President of Marketing
 3DPhotoWorks and Tactile Images
 518-392-4836
 blamere at tactileimages.com (preferred) 

ABOUT TACTILE IMAGES:

Tactile Images is committed to providing tactile experiences for the blind
and those with low vision. These transformative experiences allow for an
intimate connection with a wide range of visual and graphic material,
especially photography and fine art. Images designed for touch provide the
opportunity to acquire visual information independently, without relying on
recorded descriptions or the interpretation of a sighted companion. Users
can explore the depth and complexity of their favorite artworks and images,
often for the first time. Tactile printing is an innovative process
patented by 3DPhotoWorks, the parent company of Tactile Images, which
converts any image into a three-dimensional tactile print that blind and
disabled individuals assemble in their mind's eye through touch, sound, and
smell. Customized audio narratives, as well as components that emit unique
smells, enhance the experience. Tactile Images' partnership with Getty
Images and the National Federation of the Blind reinforces their mission to
deliver tactile images to every museum, science center, library, and
government agency worldwide. www.tactileimages.com [2] 

ABOUT THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND:

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is
the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded
in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the
fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of
blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families
with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We
believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to
transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and
initiatives at www.nfb.org [3]. 

ABOUT GETTY IMAGES:

Getty Images is one of the most trusted and esteemed sources of visual
content in the world, with over 415 million assets including photos,
videos, and music, available through its industry-leading sites
www.gettyimages.com and www.istock.com. The Getty Images website serves
creative, business and media customers in nearly every country in the world
and is the first-place people turn to discover, purchase and share powerful
visual content from the world's best photographers and videographers. Getty
Images works with over 340,000 contributors and hundreds of image partners
to provide comprehensive coverage of more than 160,000 news, sport and
entertainment events each year, impactful creative imagery to communicate
any commercial concept and the world's deepest digital archive of historic
photography. 

Visit Getty Images at www.gettyimages.com [4] to learn more about how the
company is advancing the unique role of still and moving imagery in
communication and business, enabling creative ideas to come to life. For
company news and announcements, visit our Press Room, and for the stories
and inspiration behind our content, visit gettyimages.creativeinsights.com
[5]. Find Getty Images on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or
download the Getty Images app where you can explore, save and share the
world's best imagery. 

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