Graphiti Allows Blind to View An Eclipse in Real Time

Author: American Printing House for the Blind
Published: 2017/08/22 - Updated: 2023/09/28
Publication Type: Product Release / Update
Topic: Disability News - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: People who are blind experienced the solar eclipse as it happened thanks to technology that allowed them to feel a real time changing image. Graphiti, a device being developed by APH and Orbit Research, combines an array of 2400 movable pins with image software to create a tactile representation.

Introduction

For the first time in known history, people who are blind experienced the solar eclipse, as it happened, thanks to a developing technology that allowed them to feel a real time, changing image.

Main Item

Employees of the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), the co-inventor of the Graphiti™, and students of the Kentucky School for the Blind gathered together to "touch" the sun and experienced this historic event with their friends, family, and co-workers.

Graphiti, a device being developed by APH and Orbit Research, combines an array of 2400 movable pins with image software to create a tactile representation.

A camera provided the eclipse image, and the shape of the moon and sun crossing paths refreshed every 10 seconds.

For people who are blind, the experience of "touching" the sun, in real time, was a thrill. It also gave participants the opportunity to share in a worldwide event.

"No one was sitting on the sidelines today," said APH President Craig Meador. "Learning equality is not just about providing the same information that people who are sighted have. It's about providing the same social, historical and other experiences that everyone else is enjoying."

The prototype Graphiti used at the eclipse viewing is currently the only one in existence, but APH hopes to have them ready for sale next year.

"Ideally we would have had units for everyone around the world today," said Larry Skutchan, one of the Graphiti's developers. "We are excited to see how Graphiti will be used in science classrooms, business workplaces, museums... the possibilities are endless. Just imagine where this technology will be by the time of the next eclipse!"

For the first time ever, people who are blind were able to directly experience an eclipse as it happened, thanks to developing technology from APH that allowed them to feel a changing image of the sun.

Students from the KY School for the Blind and APH employees gathered with their friends, family members, and co-workers to experience this historical event.

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by American Printing House for the Blind and published on 2017/08/22, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, American Printing House for the Blind can be contacted at aph.org NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.