Vacuum-formed raised-line drawings are intended to supplement, not replace, the graphics in a student’s adapted textbook.
Basic Science Tactile Graphics drawings depict objects, concepts, and relationships that are covered in nearly all elementary science textbooks. Instructional hints and suggestions are given for each tactile drawing.
About the Tactile Graphics
The drawings in Basic Science Tactile Graphics employ several types of lines and textures, as well as different heights. The lines and areas with the highest relief signify the most important features in a diagram.
You may highlight or outline the figures on the vacuum-formed sheets with permanent markers for your low-vision students. Braille labels are provided on the drawings, but you may easily add to or change the labels by creating self-adhesive braille labels of your own.
Teaching Suggestions
Instructional hints are given for each tactile drawing in the set. They focus on how you might present the concepts to blind students, and what blind students might find difficult about the drawing or concept.
These graphics may help demonstrate concepts in science just as print pictures do, but they always depend on verbal description that you provide to be effective. You can use them to build up students’ competence in reading tactile graphics and prepare students for later academic success. Along the way, you can introduce many concepts and stimulate students to be active thinkers (that is, scientists!).
Note: Braille labels conform to English Braille American Edition (EBAE) rules.
