In order to make it easier for students with visual impairments to understand and navigate Texas A&M University, freshman engineering student Tyler Wooten created a tactile 3D-printed college map with braille.
While taking a 3D printing course the university's Engineering Innovation Center (EIC), Wooten was inspired to create this tactile campus map. The small maps are printed with PLA and are just about a quarter of an inch thick, making them incredibly easy to tote around.
Wooten is furthering the development of the project with Kaitlyn Kellermeyer, who is an economics student at Texas A&M who lost eyesight in her left eye as an infant and recently, has become completely blind due to a loss of vision in her second eye.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Tactile 3D Printing
- The use of tactile 3D printing technology allows for the creation of accessible maps and other tactile objects for visually impaired individuals.
- Inclusive Campus Design
- Creating inclusive campus designs and features, such as tactile maps, contributes to a more accessible and inclusive educational environment for visually impaired students.
- Collaborative Innovation
- Collaboration between students from different disciplines, such as engineering and economics, leads to innovative solutions that address the needs of diverse user groups.
Where This Applies
- Education
- The education industry can implement tactile 3D printing technology and inclusive campus design to improve accessibility for visually impaired students.
- Printing and Manufacturing
- The printing and manufacturing industry can explore the development of specialized 3D printing techniques and materials for creating tactile maps and objects.
- Assistive Technology
- The assistive technology industry can benefit from the development of innovative tactile 3D printing solutions that enhance accessibility for visually impaired individuals.
