Tactile graphics are the primary means by which blind people access maps, graphs, diagrams and other graphical representations. Tactile graphics are made up of raised lines, areas, textures and symbols, and are intended to be felt rather than seen [1], [2] and [3]. Major obstacles to the successful use of tactile graphics are that: (1) touch cannot discriminate the fine detail that sight can; (2) extracting information through a sequence of touches, then re-integrating it, imposes a heavy memory load; and (3) many graphical representations need visual experience for interpretation. A variety of technologies for the production of tactile graphics have been explored and refined. To date this has been the main thrust of research in the field of tactile graphics, see [4]. Although this endeavour has been essential, it is not sufficient. Now that a range of acceptable production methods exists, it is time to shift emphasis away from 'the medium' and onto 'the message' - and to look harder at what can be communicated and how [5].
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