Updated as of September 14, 2024.
Overview
Please find below information about the tactile drawing board and some math resources. There are also many science resources available in the Bridges Resource Library’s Resources For Secondary Science Classes Reading Room entry.
Scenarios and Strategies
Scenario: Blind/low vision students resisting use of accessible tools and techniques
Everyone want to fit in, and blind/low vision students are no different. Some will prefer lack of content information to “looking different.”
Strategies for engaging/buy in to tactile graphics and non-visual techniques and tools
First, acknowledge your student’s feelings. Being different – especially as a teenager – can be overwhelming.
Share how previous strategies might no longer suffice. Mental math is a great tool, but students deserve additional tools, too. Just as a fork is a great tool for eating, one benefits from having spoons and knives available for meal preparation and for dining.
Point out new math areas where past tools may fall short. These include negative signs, exponents, and all kinds of graphing.
Note: Many of the tactile information in applies to students with low vision. From black-line and color tactile graphics to tactile graphing and laboratory techniques, students with relatively-high residual vision often benefit from understanding the same tactile skills and techniques as do students with little to no functional vision.
Bonus: Teaching these skills allows students with low vision to practice self-determination skills as they choose when and how to apply tactile and visual skills in their science classes and then in daily life.
Finally, consider trying to connect your student (and family) to blind/low vision peers and mentors. We at the Bridges Technical Assistance Center would love to help you, your students, and their families find the connections they seek.
Scenario: Inaccessible math content (text, tables, graphics, and videos)
Strategies to combat inaccessible math content (text, tables, graphics, and videos)
Provide access to accessible textbooks, including text, tables, and graphics
- Communicate with classroom teacher to determine what materials will be used.
- Collaborate with the classroom teacher to discuss the appropriateness of accessible tools, techniques, and alternatives.
- Find out more in the Bridges Resource Library’s Sources of Accessible Curricular Materials Reading Room entry.
Support for Tactile Graphics
Sensational Blackboard
- No need for puffy paint
- Can make straight lines using a ruler
Pictures in an instant, raised-line drawings anyone can create anywhere! You can feel your drawing as you draw, no need to flip your paper over, no need to draw in reverse. Make tactile images quickly and easily. Draw your own raised line pictures or trace copies from text book or reference materials.
- Light weight at just 7 ounces.
- Flexible enough to not break in your backpack but rigid enough to draw on your lap.
- Inexpensive since it uses standard copy paper and medium ballpoint pen.
- Smooth surface holds the paper in place. No clamps makes it easy to tuck into a briefcase or binder 11-1/4” x 9”.
An elegant design that is simply sensational!
$49.95 each
SQUID Magazine (from APH)
SQUID Tactile Activities Magazine: Issue 4
SQUID Tactile Activities Magazine: Issue 6
SQUID Tactile Activities Magazine: Issue 7
Math
Graphing Materials Available from APH (no cost to the District)
Bold and Tactile from the start
Bold Line Tactile Graph Sheets, 1 inch squares
Bold Line Tactile Graph Sheets, 0.5 inch squares
Tactile only, but can add bold lines using a ruler
Embossed Graph Sheets: 1 Inch Squares (8.5 by 11-inch paper)
Embossed Graph Sheets: 1 Inch Squares (11.5 by 11-inch paper)
Embossed Graph Sheets: 0.75 Inch Squares (11.5 by 11-inch paper)
Embossed Graph Sheets: 0.5 Inch Squares (11.5 by 11-inch paper)
Graph Benders
Great for math and science alike, teachers and students can use Graph Benders to create/plot graphs and tactile diagrams/ charts that are both tactile and visual, as well as durable. Graph Benders’ flexible strips and point symbols (triangles, circles, squares) can be applied directly to paper, and are an excellent way for students to demonstrate their mastery of math or science concepts. This product pairs well with APH’s Feel ‘n Peel Stickers: Point Symbols, Tactile Compass for Math and Art, Graphic Aid for Mathematics, and our selection of Embossed, Low-Relief, and Bold Line Graph Sheets.
Flip-Over Concept Book: FRACTIONS
Flip-Over Concept Books – Fractions is an interactive print and braille book designed to teach elementary students who are blind and visually impaired about fractions, decimals, and percents. Teachers and parents can create their own lessons by fully customizing the presentation of the fraction panels offered in the book.
Tactile Algebra Tiles
Tactile Algebra Tiles is an accessible version of traditional algebra tiles, specifically designed for students who are blind and visually impaired. It includes magnetic tiles that the students can manipulate on a steel board, and uses tactile symbols to help students differentiate between tiles. Colors are chosen with consideration for the needs of students who have low vision. This product is consistent with traditional algebra tiles used by sighted students, allowing students who are visually impaired to work together with their classmates in inclusive classrooms.
Geometro Sets
Provides hands-on experience with manipulatives that aid in teaching 3-D geometry. Geometro pieces use hook-and-loop material to adhere to each other and are easy to handle, sturdy, and safe.
StackUps: Spatial Reasoning Using Cubes and Isometric Drawings
Encourages students using 2-D and 3-D shapes to: recognize, name, build, draw, compare, and sort; describe attributes and parts, and; investigate and predict the results of putting together and taking apart.
Tools from APH
Tactile Compass for Math and Art (from APH)
This assistive tool enables students to draw tactile circles up to 6 inches in diameter and includes tactile markings in inches and centimeters. Includes two different spur wheels to draw both single-line and double-line circles. Used in combination with braille paper or plastic film and a rubber mat (not included with this product).
Set of thermoformed raised-line drawings depicting geometry concepts, figures, and relationships. Graphics are larger and easier for students to measure than those in braille textbooks.
Braille/Large Print Protractor
Bold large print numbers and raised dots mark the 180 degrees of this protractor, with markings every 5 degrees. The lines are bold and the type is 18 point. This protractor features a pivoting wand. When aligned with a certain degree measurement, the corresponding angle is created by the wand and the bottom edge of the protractor.
Students can use the same convenient measuring tools in both classroom and assessment situations. Both protractors are made of lightweight, clear plastic and feature a movable, transparent yellow wand. Notches on bottom left and right allow for pinning to a surface.
Fractional Parts of Wholes Set
Tactile circles introduce the concepts of wholes, halves, thirds, and fourths. This set contains one work tray with three form boards and 3-inch diameter circles, one whole and the others cut into halves, thirds, and fourths.
Construct geometric and other figures and graphs related to arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. Consists of a cork board mounted with a rubber mat embossed with a 34 x 30 grid of 1/2 inch squares. Included are three flat spring wires, 14 push pins, and rubber bands.
A Venn diagram or set diagram shows all possible logical relations between a finite collection of sets. Kit includes 15 sheets with two-circle diagrams and 15 sheets with three-circle diagrams, sized to allow for braille labeling in all sections and in the outer margins. The outlines of the circles are made in contrasting line styles so they are easily distinguishable, both visually and tactually. These heavy, consumable sheets may be tooled directly or used in a braillewriter. Includes a total of 30 sheets, measuring 11.5 x 11 inches.
Tools NOT from APH
Tactile caliper (Imperial – inches)
Quick-Pick Items from APH (Self-correcting items that need no batteries!)
Braille contractions
Quick Pick Braille Contractions UEB
Math (Nemeth Code)
Quick Pick Math: Multiplication
Contact the Bridges Helpdesk for More Information
This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.
Contact the Bridges Helpdesk for More Information
- Our Accessible web form
- Email: Helpdesk@imagemd.org
- Text: Send to: (410) 357-1546
- Voice mail: Call (410) 357-1546, leave a voice mail message, and we will return your call
This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.