A workstation for tactile graphics

Blind students have not had adequate access to tangible representations of pictures and diagrams. As more blind students enter the technical disciplines the absolute need for such material increases. There have been many different methods developed for the generation of tangible graphics displays, and a brief review of most of these is presented. Current efforts to design and develop a workstation based upon the methods first implemented by Dr John Gill are described. Both hardware and software are being assembled, and integrated with the needs of sighted braillists who would be the users of the workstation. The current state of development is described, and indications of future needs are stated.