Developing a graph-paper embosser for visually Impaired students using user-centered design approach.
Graph literacy is essential to STEM education, yet visually impaired (VI) students face persistent barriers not only in interpreting graphs but also in creating them. Existing tactile tools often offer limited layouts, inconsistent feedback, or require sighted assistance. This restricts opportunitie...
| Publicado en: | Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology Vol. 21; no. 6; pp. 3100 - 3117 |
|---|---|
| Autores principales: | , |
| Formato: | pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Publicado: |
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Aug2026
|
| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=196565006&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 196565006 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 17483107 1X04 jtl: Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology issn: 17483107 maglogo: Y pubinfo: dt: Aug2026 vid: 21 iid: 6 pid: 377 pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania artinfo: ui: 196565006 191679180 196565006 196565006 10.1080/17483107.2026.2629602 196565006 ppf: 3100 ppct: 17 formats: tig: atl: Developing a graph-paper embosser for visually Impaired students using user-centered design approach. aug: au: Traitruengsakul, Supachan Silamut, Aime-acha affil: Ratchasuda Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Nakornpathom, Thailand sug: subj: Persons with Visual Disabilities Students with Disabilities Education, Special Equipment Design Evaluation Assistive Technology Devices Human Funding Source Thailand Usability Study Questionnaires Multimethod Studies Descriptive Statistics Confidence ab: Graph literacy is essential to STEM education, yet visually impaired (VI) students face persistent barriers not only in interpreting graphs but also in creating them. Existing tactile tools often offer limited layouts, inconsistent feedback, or require sighted assistance. This restricts opportunities for independent graph authoring. In Thailand, imported embossers and printers are costly and scarce, while low-tech alternatives lack portability and tactile precision. This study developed a low-cost, roller-based graph-paper embosser through a three-iteration User-Centered Design (UCD) process. The tool embosses XY coordinate planes onto A4 paper, allowing VI students to plot points and construct graphs independently. Design iterations were informed by surveys of existing tactile graphing tools and refined through feedback from VI students and their teachers. The final prototype featured a microfiber-lined embossing surface, a compact grooved roller, and a plus-sign XY guide for alignment. Usability testing with 40 VI students combined task metrics, satisfaction ratings, and qualitative feedback. Participants reported improved tactile clarity, quadrant orientation, and confidence in graph plotting. In performance tasks, 57.5% of students accurately completed 9–12 graphs, demonstrating the tool's instructional effectiveness. By emphasising tactile-only interaction, iterative refinement, and teacher collaboration, this study offers a scalable model for inclusive STEM learning. It contributes to the development of accessible educational tools that empower VI students to author graphs independently, reduce reliance on sighted assistance, and promote equitable participation in mathematics education. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: The graph-paper embosser enables VI students to independently create tactile graphs, supporting functional graph literacy in mathematics education. Its low-cost, locally sourced design makes tactile graph creation feasible in resource-constrained educational and rehabilitation settings. The embosser supports active learning and learner agency, shifting VI students from passive interpretation of pre-made tactile graphics to active graph authorship. The UCD approach provides a scalable model for developing context-appropriate assistive technologies in diverse rehabilitation environments. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
|---|