A plain sheet of paper can turn into a self-describing tactile graphic. Of course, the drawing must be embossed for the blind to be able to touch and perceive it, but how is a tactile drawing able to self-describe, you might ask? That happens with the aid of a QR Code, a wonder of the modern world that helps facilitate the independent learning of the blind. Find out more about it and how you can create your unique code!
a) Tactile graphics in the LIBRARY
b) Personalized QR Codes
1. What is a QR Code?
Short for Quick Response code, the QR Code is a barcode that contains information about the item to which it is attached. It ”consists of black squares arranged in a square grid on a white background, which can be read by an imaging device such as a camera” (in the case of iPhones) or by apps such as QR Code Readers or Scanners.
Although it was designed for the automotive industry, you are more likely to have encountered a QR Code in advertising contexts, with flyers leading to a company’s website, for example. Other uses of QR Codes include payment or even virtual reality.
2. QR Codes and self-describing tactile graphics
QR Codes can also be used to facilitate the education of the blind. This is possible because the QR Code becomes the link to a lot of audio information (more accessible than written information). It becomes easier for blind people to have access to the descriptions of a specialist.
Just like in the case of flyers, QR Codes are a bridge between the physical and the virtual world. They are the connection between an embossed tactile graphic and the READER app, which team up to help the blind learn independently.
The Tactile Images platform can use two types of QR Codes: already existing ones – which go for the graphics in the LIBRARY, or personalized ones – which a sighted person can create. Both types of codes are unique.
a) Tactile graphics in the LIBRARY
Some of the self-describing tactile graphics on the Tactile Images e-learning platform already have a QR code attached to them. This means that all you have to do to help a blind person learn independently is to download, print, and emboss it. You can do that with inexpensive DIY techniques. Do not forget about the READER app, which guides the hand of the blind person and acts as the specialist over the shoulder and can be downloaded from the App Store.
b) Personalized QR Codes
To add the unique QR Code, you have to send a request to join the EDITOR. Whether if we are talking about a tactile graphic in the LIBRARY or about one you have at home, it must have a QR Code attached to be read by the READER app.
The tactile graphics in the LIBRARY lead to our website, but we offer you the possibility to have tactile graphics leading to your website. This can be done free of charge through a personalized QR Code.
Access any website that can help generate a unique QR Code. Because the READER app limits QR Code dimensions at 200×200, we recommend you to access this link.
If you want to personalize your unique QR Code, you can do it. A website example would be https://www.qrcode-monkey.com/. After you add the website address where you want it to go, you can create a multicolor code, choose its shape and even add whatever image you want to it – be it your logo or a picture of a flower you took yesterday. Just make sure to save it at the right dimension before you upload it to the EDITOR.
Image source: Mitya Ivanov | Unsplash
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