European experts from Germany, Holland, and Spain have teamed up with the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh for an innovative 3D printing project aimed at creating a catalogue of objects specifically designed for learners with vision impairment. Launched in 2020, this pioneering project seeks to develop tactile models that can be printed using 3D printers and shared with vision impairment professionals worldwide through a dedicated website.
"The idea is that any vision impairment professional can go to the website and use a 3D printer to print the object directly from there. They don't have to do any designing because we've already done that work. All the designs are being tested with learners with vision impairment."
Lauren Lockhart, the Depute Head Teacher at the Royal Blind School, explains the significance of this project: "We've identified 25 objects that are specially designed for learners with vision impairment. The ability to touch and feel a 3D model helps learners with vision impairment understand objects and bridge conceptual gaps. This is part of the future of vision impairment education, and we are at the forefront of this exciting development."
The focus of the project is on objects that may be difficult or impossible for individuals with vision impairment to access through touch alone. This includes objects that are too large, too small, too dangerous, or too fragile to handle. For instance, monuments like the Arc De Triomphe are too large, microorganisms or human cells are too small, porcupines or snakes are too dangerous, and human body organs like the heart or lung air sacs are too fragile to handle.
The aim of the project is to create a database of designs that can be easily accessed by vision impairment professionals through a website. These designs have been thoroughly tested with learners who have vision impairment to ensure their effectiveness. This means that vision impairment professionals can simply select a design from the website and use a 3D printer to print the object directly, without having to engage in any additional design work.
Lauren adds, "The idea is that any vision impairment professional can go to the website and use a 3D printer to print the object directly from there. They don't have to do any designing because we've already done that work. All the designs are being tested with learners with vision impairment."
This collaborative effort between European experts and the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh represents a significant step forward in enhancing education and accessibility for learners with vision impairment. By utilizing 3D printing technology to create tactile models of objects, this project has the potential to revolutionize vision impairment education and open up new opportunities for learners to explore and understand the world around them.
