New tactile graphics design developed by IIT-Delhi

A combined three year research by IIT-Delhi and Indiana University in the US has resulted in the development of new design of tactile graphics.

Tactile graphics are raised two dimensional line drawings that are added to a surface to make it accessible for the people with visual impairments.

The latest research has resulted in tactile designs that are cost effective and more feasible for developing countries like India.

As per data from the World Health Organisation, there are 38 million visually impaired people in the world and almost 90 per cent of them live in the developing countries.

India has more than five million visually impaired people making it the largest population of blind people for any country in the world.

Development of cheap tactile technique will help make them more easily available for the blind people in various forms.

One example is use of tactile designs is in books for blind people.

Although the books are printed out in braille they lack more information such as graphical images.

Low-cost Tactile Graphics can be used to make the books more decretive, easier to understand and this will help improve the quality of education for people with visual impairments.