[blindkid] labeling diagrams?

Fri Jan 14 17:34:40 UTC 2011

Hi Rosina,
In addition to the excellent suggestions of Pat and others, you and 
your son's teachers can take a look at blindscience.org, the NFB's 
science information site.  In the biology section, you will find 
links to already created tactile diagrams which might be helpful for 
your 
son.<http://www.blindscience.org/ncbys/Biology.asp?SnID=1665175441>http://www.blindscience.org/ncbys/Biology.asp?SnID=1665175441 

Carol

Carol Castellano
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
973-377-0976
carol_castellano at verizon.net
www.nopbc.org

At 12:08 PM 1/14/2011, you wrote:
>Hi Rosina,
>
>We have been struggling with tactile diagrams for years. I have learned that
>there is both an art and a science to the production of diagrams.
>
>First, I have a strong adverse reaction to the use of hot glue for the
>creation of diagrams, which it looks like your school is using. As you say,
>with hot glue, there is no differentiation betweens lines of different
>types, no possibility of shading. If that is the only method Roman's school
>is using, it is sloppy and lazy, in my (not so humble) opinion!
>
>I urge you to visit Lucia Hasty's website, <http://www.tactilegraphics.org>.
>On it, there is a link called "NOPBC" that includes the power point slides
>she used in a presentation at the 2010 seminar. The website also includes a
>lot of great information on when graphics should be prepared and specific
>techniques. I would also suggest you get your son's teachers (or whoever is
>prepping his graphics) to take a look, and improve the quality of what he is
>being given.
>
>I make some of the graphics my daughter requires for school. I use different
>techniques, including (1) computer drawing programs, microcapsule paper, and
>a special heating element (not as simple as just running the paper through a
>copier), (2) lots of craft store and hardware supplies (stick-on jewels,
>graphic arts tape, stick-on earrings, felt/rubber dots etc, wikki stix, puff
>paint), (3) APH "Quota" supplies like tactile graph paper, Braille and
>tactile stickers, etc that I get from my daughter's teacher.
>
>Labeling the diagrams is really hard. Some thoughts:
>There are Braille/LP stick-on letters and tactile stickers available from
>APH (his teacher ought to be able to get these); we use them in instances
>where the labels won't occlude the information in the diagram. The stickers
>are big, so we trim the print away. We also use the tiny jewels/felt dots
>then make a key.
>Provide a labeled and unlabelled diagram, one for studying and one for test,
>with a key and with one-on-one instruction of what stands for what.
>For tests, the student's pointing things out and giving a verbal answer
>might be best -- that's what we are doing in geography.
>It is hard to make the "lead lines" (lines that point to something) and the
>diagram lines distinguishable, so we avoid if possible.
>The Princeton Braillists have an incredible world atlas and, as I have
>learned, sets of tactile maps for purchase. There is a science diagram
>tactile book from APH I think for basic science diagrams.
>Sometimes it takes more than one tactile diagram to illustrate everything on
>one print diagram. Where the lines get very close to each other, for
>example, one should perhaps make a 2nd diagram that "blows up" that region
>or detail.
>
>There are guidelines for the production of graphics. BANA has just approved
>new guidelines, but I can't seem to find a copy of them. Purdue University
>has the "Tactile Diagram Manual," which is excellent, especially for capsule
>paper diagrams. Let me know if you would like a copy, and I will email to
>you directly. There is also a book "Tactile Graphics" by Edman that is
>excellent; it provides information like "if you have two different lines on
>a diagram, what 2 are best distinguished tactually from each other?"
>
>And lastly, if you can tell that glue diagrams are inadequate, you have more
>imagination that the people giving them to your son!!!
>
>Sorry this reply is so long. Hope it helps.
>
>Good luck,
>Pat
>
>
>
>
>
>
>On 1/10/11 5:13 PM, "Rosina Solano" <colemangirly at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> >
> > I have a question about labeling diagrams.  How do the kids do these?
> >
> > Right now the school super enlarges one like a picture of a plant 
> cell.  Then
> > they go over parts of the diagram with glue to make raised parts for the
> > chromosomes, nucleous, etc.  Roman has braille labels to glue onto these
> > areas.  Problem, even though Roman has some vision this is 
> totally inadequate
> > in my line of thinking.  The pictures are diverse, but the glue 
> spots are not,
> > how is he to tell the difference?  Also, the lines that point to 
> the "raised"
> > areas do not have glue on them, so he can't even follow them to the line to
> > put the label on.
> > Even if this was all raised, I feel there has got to be a better 
> way to label
> > diagrams.  How have any of you done this?  Please really spell 
> things out as I
> > am visually dependant, with no imagination.
> >
> > Thank you so much!!!
> >
> > Rosina
> >
> >
> >
> >
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