Ideas for affordable innovation

Accessible STEM

Accessibility of STEM has been difficult when analogue is unable to support complexity & accuracy required.y

3D Doodler pattern for making Eiffel Tower

The accessible opportunities offered by digital design software and new making tools are great.

3D Doodler

Touchscreens offer simple ways of creating accessible interaction.

Sketching with Swell Paper

This is not about screen-based information. It is about the interaction of virtual and real in understanding.

JAWS from Freedom Scientific

Using standard apps but with simple adaptation enables inclusivity in education.

Creating drawings with touchscreen

Using PlayDoh on a touchscreen enables spatial understanding of visual information.

PlayDoh can quickly make tactile diagrams

Even simple touchscreen VDU's can be adapted for use in education with Windows 8.

Ex-London Olympics touchscreen in education

Specialist apps, like OverLay, can be used to create audio-tactile experiences on iPads.

www.overlayapp.com

UV printing can be used to create simple adaptive overlays of keyboards and symbols.

Braille keyboard for iPad on static cling plastic

UV printing creates robust, digitally designed books and information panels. Cost is high upfront but cheaper when amortized.

UV printed guidebook for Scottish Parliament

Understanding that single digital files can contain multiple formats of information is important for inclusion and personalization.

Multi-layered PDF

3D software allows fast extrusion of simple 2D graphics to 2.5D for 3D printing. Moulds for thermoforming can be quickly and cheaply made.

Software extrusion of map image for 3D print

3D printer tactile handling objects are an excellent resource but cost and time to manufacture are barriers to use.

3D print handling objects

Near Field Communication tags can be used to add triggers to physical objects and thus enhance them with audio and other information.

Making withPlayDoh and adding sound with NFC

3D Doodler offers a cost effective way of creating shapes and objects 'on the fly. It enables both educators and learner to draw physically in 3D space.

Simple shape sketched with 3D Doodler

Using simple tactile frameworks, learners can independently make and understand architecture, maps and objects.

Complex shape sketched with 3D Doodler

Playing with and adapting consumer technology to meet accessible STEM needs is the way we can make it more available and more personal.

Experimenting with Leap 3D gestural control

Contacta.somerville@acuitydesign.eu

@acuity_design

Author: Alastair SomervilleSeptember 2013