Hello, Inclusive Design Community,
At Gateway Navigation, we are excited to share some remarkable developments in the world of digital tactile graphics. These innovations are particularly groundbreaking for the millions of students who are blind or partially sighted worldwide. As we continue to strive for more inclusive and accessible technology, we are delighted to draw your attention to a series of webinars that will shed light on the world of tactile graphics. These webinars are led by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) and will conclude with information regarding the highly anticipated 2024 preorder shipments of the groundbreaking NFB APH Monarch Tablet, developed in partnership with Humanware.
For more information on the Monarch, please visit the following link:
Tech Crunch: Monarch - To read the article, click on the following link:
Monarch Could Be the Next Big Thing in Braille
A Journey into Tactile Graphics: The Webinar Series
Beginning on October 24, the APH's Outreach Services Team will host a four-part Access Academy webinar series titled "Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments." This series aims to build a comprehensive understanding of tactile graphic skills. These webinars will guide both users and vision teachers, making them a valuable resource for those passionate about making tactile graphics more accessible.
Registration is open for all webinars on the Access Academy website, which can be accessed by clicking on the following link:
Gateway Navigation's Role in Tactile Graphics Innovation
Through our partnership with McGill University's Shared Reality Lab (SRL), Gateway Navigation has been actively supporting the development of the IMAGE open-source software, putting dynamic internet graphic exploration at the fingertips of people who are blind.
A crucial element enabling IMAGE to deliver a haptic (touch) experience was made possible through DOT Inc.'s innovative hardware, which also plays a significant role in the NFB APH Monarch Tablet.
The research and development supported by the Shared Reality Lab, Gateway Navigation, and the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) resulted in the IMAGE open-source code, developed through an extensive user group of over fifty volunteers from the blind or partially sighted community collaborating with a team of over twenty researchers from McGill University. The project was funded as part of the Accessible Technology Program from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
For more information on DOT, Apple, and APH/Humanware, please visit the following link:
We are proud to have been among the first to demonstrate how internet graphics could be interpreted using the IMAGE web extension and the Dot Inc. dynamic tactile display. These demonstrations were presented at prestigious events such as the 2021 NFB National Convention, CSUN 2022, Enable Ottawa 2022, CCB Toronto Visionaries Live 2 Learn Conference 2022, and NFB NOLA 2022.
To learn more about the beta launch of IMAGE, click on the following link:
The current state of haptic technology feedback is well summarized by Winston Churchill's famous quote, "This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."
The development of IMAGE continues with strategic partnerships with the Shared Reality Lab and their current research funded by the Quebec Government and Humanware.
Looking back and in our continued planning for the future, we couldn't be more thrilled to share in this journey toward greater accessibility for everyone and look forward to the continued march of the NFB APH Monarch Tablet being at the fingertips of Canadian students and all students who will benefit from this leap forward in accessibility and inclusion.
Learn more, share your feedback and Connect with Us
If you have any feedback, questions, or comments regarding IMAGE, the webinars, or the Monarch under development, please feel free to share them with us at Gateway Navigation via email. We value your input and will respond promptly or forward your inquiries to the appropriate contact for review.
We take pride in being at the forefront of creating new ideas and concepts to make the built environment and the internet more accessible and inclusive. We are excited to see how the NFB APH Monarch will shape the future of digital learning for those who are blind or partially sighted. Together, we can break down barriers and advance digital accessibility and inclusion for all.
Warm regards,
David
- David Brun
- Co-founder,
- Gateway Navigation CCC Ltd.
- Website: Gateway Navigation
For those interested in registering for the webinars, please click the following link:
We look forward to your participation in this exciting journey of tactile graphics innovation!
If you have any further questions or feedback, please send us an email at partners@gnc3.com. Your input is invaluable to us.
End of Document