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Problem Statement

Individuals who are visually impaired face numerous barriers in acquiring literature, a problem that is compounded by flaws in the current braille printing technology. Braille is a tactile writing system widely used by individuals with visual impairments. Among a multitude of applications, Braille notably allows individuals with visual impairments access to written literature. However, Braille literature is often fragile and/or expensive, posing a significant accessibility challenge to individuals who are visually impaired. Braille embossers, the most common technology used for braille printing, have numerous flaws. These printers often have extremely high costs as printers often exceed $1,800 in upfront costs (The American Foundation for the Blind, n.d.), which makes it difficult for individuals and smaller businesses to invest in Braille printing technology. Despite the high costs, the embossed dots in the paper have been shown to deteriorate over time if used frequently or if stored improperly. The tactile medium is also frequently significantly heavier than paper, making transport difficult for everyday use. Due to these limitations, braille literature is uncommon, and many individuals whose visual impairments are particularly acute have few opportunities to enjoy literary works.

Design Approach | Prototype

Our design, which we call the "Ice Tray", is inspired by the way traditional ice molds work—hence the name. With ice molds, you pour liquid water into a plastic tray, then freeze it to form solid ice cubes. Similarly, our printer operates on the same principle. It features a plexiglass braille dot sheet with laser-engraved molds that follow the correct conventions for braille sizing and alignment. These molds are filled with ultraviolet (UV) resin. A sheet of paper is then placed over the filled molds, and the resin is cured through the paper using UV light. The result is raised braille dots formed directly on the paper.

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Poster

References

"The American Foundation for the Blind. (n.d.). Braille printers. https://www.afb.org/blindness-and-low-vision/using-technology/assistive-technology-products/braille-printers"