Paving the Holy Braille Highway through Dynamic and Digital

Date & Time

Thursday, March 16, 2023 - 10:20 AM PST  

Location

Elite 1-3  

Description

The future of tactile literacy, much like print literacy, is dynamic and digital. This move means major changes for how braille and tactile graphics are created, delivered, and interacted with by users. This presentation will cover the work that needs to be done now to prepare for the future of digital tactile literacy. Part of this presentation will cover the efforts being undertaken to create a new electronic braille file standard currently called the eBRF. This international effort seeks to create a dynamic braille file standard that allows braille layouts to be manipulated, navigated, read, and shared across braille regions. It will also be configurable based on a user's needs and preferences. Additionally, we will discuss the need for a new dynamic tactile graphics standard. Current standards that exist for tactile graphics are based on a static medium, and while they should serve as the basis for standards for the digital age, more clarification is needed. The tactile graphics of the future will be interactive, dynamic, and offer multimodal methods of learning. We need standards so that students are prepared to interact with the graphics regardless of the hardware that they are using. Finally, this presentation will cover other challenges and opportunities that face the future of digital tactile literacy. We will also discuss new ways of distributing braille and tactile graphics and how these distribution methods will lead to decreased costs and delivery times.  

Audience

• Higher Education
• K-12 Education
• Government
• Media & Publishing
• Employment & Human Resources

Audience Level

Intermediate  

Session Summary (Abstract)

The future of braille literacy is dynamic and digital. New technology brings opportunities to make braille and tactile graphics more available, affordable, and interactive. Join us to discuss the work required to ensure this future is a reality.  

Primary Topic

Emerging Technologies  

Secondary Topics

• Blind/Low Vision
• Digital Accessibility
• Education
• Employment & Workplace

 

Session Type

General Track  

Presenters

• William Freeman
  American Printing House
• Greg Stilson
  American Printing House

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