The coronavirus pandemic should not put the education of blind children on hold. Blind children should be able to continue studying, no matter the circumstances. If usually, they are unable to explore visuals without their teachers, who guide their hands, we are here to give them the solution to exploring independently in the times of coronavirus.

1. Exploring visuals in the schools of the blind
2. Exploring visuals and the e-learning platform Tactile Images
3. Why should blind children use this platform in the time of coronavirus?

a) They can choose from a wide variety of subjects
b) They gain visual knowledge
c) They study independently
d) They explore at their own pace

1. Exploring visuals in the schools of the blind

2. Learning and the e-learning platform Tactile Images

The Tactile Images platform allows blind children to explore tactile drawings on various subjects independently. It also enables their teachers to continue their classes remotely by sending them the studying materials of every day. The platform consists of a LIBRARY of 800 self-describing tactile drawings, which can be downloaded free of charge and embossed manually by their parents for under $1.

The most important part of the platform is the mobile app READER, which comes to play the role of the person above the shoulder. All the blind children have to do is download it from the App Store free of charge, and they will be able to study tactile graphics independently.

The app is very easy to use as it was designed for the blind and does not have any buttons. It just needs a tactile graphics with a QR Code underneath.

3. Why should blind children use this platform during the coronavirus pandemic?

a) They can choose from a wide variety of subjects

With 800 self-describing tactile graphics available, the online LIBRARY allows blind children to choose from a variety of topics. They can access and explore it to see what they would like to learn more about: means of transportation, animals, musicals instruments, historical events, or personalities.

After exploring the categories of the LIBRARY, they can indicate to their parents what they want to study, and their parents will download and emboss the tactile graphics. This can be done manually for under 1 dollar.

b) They gain visual knowledge

Visual knowledge is highly important for both mobility and general education. And blind children can only achieve this visual knowledge with the aid of tactile graphics, which gives them instant access to 3D information, such as shape, spaciousness, and depth.

The more tactile graphics one gives to a blind child, the easier it will be for him to create accurate mental images of the surrounding world.

c) They study independently

Blind children are traditionally dependent on another person’s time, knowledge, and goodwill. With the Tactile Images READER app, they suddenly gain the independence they always wanted. All they need is a tactile graphic, the app, and an internet connection. The app does all the work of the specialist – guides their hands and gives audio information to help explain the position on the graphic.

d) They explore at their own pace

Exploring tactile graphics is a lengthy process. If a sighted child needs only a glimpse to perceive a visual, in the case of a blind child, the exploring process can take minutes or even hours.

This is because blind children need to have the visual broken down into small areas, areas they can easily touch. Every area they touch must have its audio description so they can understand what they are touching. For two simple lines to becomes the legs of a seagull, a blind child needs to hear a voice say that what he is touching are the legs of the bird. Otherwise, the child will create an inaccurate image of a seagull.

With the READER app, a blind child can explore a tactile graphic for as long as he wants and whenever he wants.

Blind children should enjoy the freedom of exploring tactile graphics during the coronavirus pandemic. The e-learning platform Tactile Images gives them the chance to choose what subject they want to study and lets them study independently, at their own pace.

Read the other articles on this subject Part I and Part II.