A 3D printing guide has been developed to support people who are visually impaired.
Created by researchers at Melbourne’s Monash University, the free guide provides information specifically attuned to the needs of blind and low vision users, including inclusive design considerations, directions to create braille or audio labels and accessible resources for blind makers.
Project Lead Leona Holloway said the guidelines were created specifically to support people who had “print disabilities” which limited their ability to interact with 2D materials, and people who were unable to follow a line of print or have a disability that impacted their concentration.
“One of the advantages of 3D printed models over raised line drawings, is that they can be used by blind, low vision and sighted students together in educational settings, and they can also be useful for people who are not trained in ‘touch reading’,” Ms Holloway said.
“However, not all models can be understood well through both vision and touch. Instead, as described in the guidelines, thoughtful design, printing and finishing techniques are required to ensure that 3D printed models are optimised for touch reading and inclusion.”
She said the information could be used by teachers, parents, orientation and mobility specialists and occupational therapists to create educational materials like braille learning aids, maps, curriculum-based models such as historic artefacts, landforms or anatomy, maths manipulatives, educational games and adaptive tools for the classroom.
