In episode 103 of White Canes Connect, Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein speak with Kat Bottner, the First Vice President of the Keystone Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania, a along with PhD candidates Abigail Nolin and Kayla Hepler from the University of Delaware's Department of Material Science and Engineering. They delve into their groundbreaking research on tactile aids aimed at enhancing accessibility for the visually impaired.

The project, initiated through Kat's network connection and supported by a grant from the National Institute of Health, seeks to innovate beyond traditional raised bumps and lines used in Braille. Abigail and Kayla explain their focus on the material properties that affect touch perception, like surface roughness and chemistry, to create more advanced tactile stimuli. This could potentially revolutionize the accessibility of spatial information such as graphs, maps, and diagnostic tests.

Kat's role as a consultant involves recruiting participants for the research and ensuring that their work remains user-focused. She also helps make the project's communication accessible, including braille labeling and proofreading.

The research has shown promising results, with tests indicating that certain chemical coatings can be distinguished by touch, paving the way for new tactile aids. The team is excited about the potential applications, including more intuitive touchscreens and enhanced Braille displays, which could significantly improve the daily lives of the visually impaired by providing more detailed and accessible tactile information.

Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/103

Participate in the Study

If you would like to participate in the University of Delaware study, reach out to the team via email DhongLabRecruitment@gmail.com.

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If you want to donate to the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania, visit https://www.NFBofPA.org/give/.

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