A Systematic Literature Review on the Automatic Creation of Tactile Graphics for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Abstract

Currently, a large amount of information is presented graphically. However, visually impaired individuals do not have access to visual information. Instead, they depend on tactile illustrations—raised lines, textures, and elevated graphics that are felt through touch—to perceive geometric and various other objects in textbooks. Tactile graphics are considered an important factor for students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields seeking a quality education because teaching materials in these fields are frequently conveyed with diagrams and geometric figures. In this paper, we conducted a systematic literature review to identify the current state of research in the field of automatic tactile graphics generation. Over 250 original research papers were screened and the most appropriate studies on automatic tactile graphic generation over the last six years were classified. The reviewed studies explained numerous current solutions in static and dynamic tactile graphics generation using conventional computer vision and artificial intelligence algorithms, such as refreshable tactile displays for education and machine learning models for tactile graphics classification. However, the price of refreshable tactile displays is still prohibitively expensive for low- and middle-income users, and the lack of training datasets for the machine learning model remains a problem.

Data for all: Tactile graphics that light up with picture-perfect resolution

“…Other methods exist for converting custom 2D imagery into tactile forms ( 13 ). One common method is swell form technology, also known as “pictures in a flash” technology ( 13 ).…”

“…Other methods exist for converting custom 2D imagery into tactile forms ( 13 ). One common method is swell form technology, also known as “pictures in a flash” technology ( 13 ). Here, specialized paper (“swell form paper”) is used to make soft, foam-like tactile graphics.…”

“…This inaccessibility pairs poorly with aspirations of diversability (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10). In rare cases when data are made accessible with tactile graphics, physical models, audio, or Braille, the formats may be of low resolution or quality and not amenable to sharing with sighted individuals (11)(12)(13). There is a need for a high-resolution data format that can be visualized by anyone regardless of eyesight.…”

Design of a “Cobot Tactile Display” for Accessing Virtual Diagrams by Blind and Visually Impaired Users

“…Refreshable tactile displays/surfaces [1][2][3][4][5][6] have been proposed as alternatives, which allow for quick, dynamic access to electronic/virtual tactile diagram representations. At one end of the spectrum are tactile pin displays made from a large matrix of pins; however, these displays are very expensive despite covering much smaller areas compared to typical paper tactile diagrams and having limited spatial resolution (cost is an important consideration as most BVIs live below the poverty line).…”

Dokunsal Materyallere Yöneli̇k Öğretmen, Öğrenci̇ Ve Ai̇le Görüşleri̇ni̇n Beli̇rlenmesi̇: Fen Bi̇li̇mleri̇ Dersi̇ Örneği̇

“…Total görme yetersizliği olan öğrencilerin fen bilimleri gibi görselliğin ön plana çıktığı derslerde materyaller kadar braille formatta kullandığı ders kitaplarında da sınırlılıklar yaşadıkları bilinmektedir. Özellikle şekil, grafik, diyagram gibi görsellerin erişilebilir olmadığı, kitaplarda bulunan bu görsellerin yalnızca öğretmenler tarafından öğrenciye anlatılarak öğrenmelerinin sağlandığı bilinmektedir (Karakoç & Aslan, 2022;Mukhiddinov & Kim, 2021). Alan uzmanları, fen bilimleri derslerinde kullanılan ders materyallerinin dokunsal formatta uyarlandığında total görme yetersizliği olan öğrencilerin de gören akranları gibi ilgili materyale erişim sağladığını ifade etmektedir (Yalçın, 2020;Yalçın & Kamalı Arslantaş, 2020).…”