Incised Grids: Enhancing the Readability of Tangible Graphs for the Blind

Abstract

The transformation of a graphic display into tangible form for blind persons is usually achieved by raising the entire image above the surface. In the case of tangible line graphs, this format causes readability problems by degrading figure-ground (data-curve/grid) differentiation. This study assessed the feasibility of a new design format involving both raised and incised elements in the same display. The results from 24 blind students in grades 4 through 7 indicated that an incised-grid/raised-data-curve format significantly improves graph-reading performance relative to a raised-grid/raised-data-curve format. The importance of designing displays in ways that are compatible with the perceptual-motor capabilities of blind persons is discussed.