Making Astronomy Accessible for the Visually Impaired
From: Scientific American - 09/22/2014
By: Wanda Diaz-Merced

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has recognized the potential of
astronomy to contribute to education and creating a better world. To fulfill
this potential, however, astronomy must be accessible to everyone, regardless
of background, learning styles or ability. By becoming more inclusive, the
field of astronomy can help ensure that everyone interested has access to
information and, technological resources, and can become involved in
astronomy if they set their minds to it.

To leverage astronomy's capacity as a tool to inspire, amaze and foster
inclusion, on April 2011 the IAU established the Office of Astronomy for
Development (OAD) in Cape Town, South Africa. Two years later, OAD sponsored
the “A Touch of the Universe” project, led by Dr. Amelia Ortiz-Gil, from the
University of Valencia in Spain, to bring astronomy to the visually impaired.
The project developed an innovative kit that included tactile educational
resources directed to bring concepts about the moon to visually impaired
persons of all ages. This year, OAD is moving a step further towards
“leveling the playing field” in astronomy and space science. OAD’s most
recent efforts involve teaching astronomy concepts to the visually impaired,
as well as developing new methods to summarize massive astronomical data sets
into simple, more easily interpretable forms, such as audio.

Read the entire article and view a video (15:44) at:
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/voices/2014/09/22/making-astronomy-accessible-for-the-visually-impaired/

Links:
Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD)
http://www.astro4dev.org/

A Touch of the Universe project
http://astrokit.uv.es/

The Solar System Radio Explorer Kiosk
http://radiojove.gsfc.nasa.gov/ssrek/

AstroSense
http://www.astro4dev.org/activities/astrosense/