What is it?
Tactile graphics represent visual or spatial information through raised lines, textures, shapes, braille labels, and other features that can be explored through touch. They can provide access to information found in diagrams, maps, graphs, charts, geometric figures, scientific illustrations, and other visual representations. Tactile graphics may be created using embossers, swell-form paper, tactile drawing tools, collage materials, or specialized production methods.
How to use it?
Identify the essential information within the original visual and create a tactile representation that communicates those important relationships without unnecessary complexity. Explicitly teach learners how to systematically explore the graphic and interpret features such as lines, textures, symbols, labels, keys, axes, and spatial relationships. Provide tactile graphics alongside instruction at the same time visual graphics are available to peers, and collaborate with a teacher of students with visual impairments when designing individualized materials.
Why use it?
Descriptions alone may not adequately communicate information about shape, position, direction, scale, or spatial relationships. Tactile graphics provide direct access to visual-spatial information and can support understanding in subjects such as math, science, geography, and literacy. They allow learners to actively investigate representations rather than relying entirely on another person to describe what peers can independently explore.
