Data for All: Tactile Graphics That Light Up with Picture-perfect Resolution

Overview

Journal Sci Adv

Specialties Biology
Science

Date 2022 Aug 17

PMID 35977019

Authors

Jordan C Koone

Chad M Dashnaw

Emily A Alonzo

Miguel A Iglesias

Kelly-Shaye Patero

Juan J Lopez

Ao Yun Zhang

Bernd Zechmann

Noah E Cook

Mona S Minkara

Cary A Supalo

Hoby B Wedler

Matthew J Guberman-Pfeffer

Bryan F Shaw

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

People who are blind do not have access to graphical data and imagery produced by science. This exclusion complicates learning and data sharing between sighted and blind persons. Because blind people use tactile senses to visualize data (and sighted people use eyesight), a single data format that can be easily visualized by both is needed. Here, we report that graphical data can be three-dimensionally printed into tactile graphics that glow with video-like resolution via the lithophane effect. Lithophane forms of gel electropherograms, micrographs, electronic and mass spectra, and textbook illustrations could be interpreted by touch or eyesight at ≥79% accuracy ( = 360). The lithophane data format enables universal visualization of data by people regardless of their level of eyesight.

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