AHVIIT-ACCESS (Audio Haptics for Visually Impaired Information Technology) project seeks to improve the inclusion of workers or trainees with sight loss in vocational training programmes using visual materials, by delivering these in a non visual format that is touch and sound. The project will design, produce and test pilot learning materials as well as create an online training programme for teachers.

Pilot Course Material

- Three pilot sets of Talking Tactile overlay course materials produced and evaluated covering topics from widely differing industry sectors, these include:
- Sports Massage,
- Food Hygiene & Basic Cookery Skills,
- Basic Computer Awareness and Operation (Produced in both German and English)

Talking Tactile overlays are the mechanism for accessing graphical information in an audio format.

The course materials will proactively enable and support people with disabilities to gain new skills or up-grade their existing skills in the work place.

The Authoring Tool Guide

- An Authoring Tool Guide developed for T3 (Talking Tactile Technology) that will be used to support an on-line Training Programme for teachers and trainers. This Guide supports the standardisation of the production of the overlays and ensures their transferability between different work environments

Talking Tactile Technology

- T3 is a touch-sensitive multi-sensory learning device that provides instant audio feed-back from tactile specially created tactile images.

This combination of sound and touch transforms the way in which people who are visually impaired can access graphical information.

The T3 is connected to a standard PC or lap-top computer via a USB connection and the self-installing programme CD is inserted.

A tactile overlay is laid on the touch screen and the system is activated by the user pressing anywhere on the screen. When symbols, icons and regions of the tactile surface are pressed, corresponding audio information comes from the connected computer.

This innovative assistive technology has enhanced the quality of the working conditions of people with disabilities. This technology is the multi-sensory hardware and the vehicle for the delivery of the overlay materials.

The combination of tactile graphics and audio files has developed an innovative supportive training method which meets the needs and requirements of a diverse range of disabilities.