Process:  

 

Through findings from qualitative interviews and observations, my team and I narrowed our focus toward educational technologies.  Additionally, we identified major needs and expectations but one in particular that we wanted to make sure to address, the affordability of accessible products.  

 

During our secondary research phase we did a deep dive into learning about all the various different types of assistive products used in schools for BLV students.  

 

I was specifically tasked with researching educational technologies and eventually came across an article about a teacher in Texas that found a way to overcome the challenges of teaching graphs in Math class by taking a cork board and using push pins and rubber bands to use as a tactile representation of graphs.  She found that the students had a better understanding of graphs when there was an added tactile component.  This led me to researching tactile technology and found articles and white pages on the uses of haptic technology and tactile screen technology for assistive products. 

 

One company in particular, Tactus, had tactile screen technology for mobile devices available for licensing for OEMs.  Based on this screen technology, I led the development of a tactile screen cover case for iPads and iPhones where the product would fill micro bubbles on the surface of the screen to create lines and shapes on top of the mobile device, allowing for a tactile graph for a graphing calculator app.  We also had decided to develop specifically for Apple products because they are the favored mobile company amongst BLV students due to its advanced assistive features.  And since the students mostly already had Apple products, the product was designed as an accessory rather than a stand-alone product in order to meet the needs of cost efficiency.