Tactile teaching aids help the visually impaired "see" images through touch

Since the implementation of the “one guideline, multiple textbooks” policy in Taiwan, textbooks have been compiled and reviewed by various publishers. This policy has led to a diversity of textbook versions, and a correspondingly larger volume of textbooks is now tailored to meet the need of the visually impaired.

In addition to braille, it is essential to help visually impaired people understand textbook images. For example, the inability of visually impaired people to see geography maps means they are unable to understand the meaning of any related text. The development center uses a host of different materials to create tactile maps that empower visually impaired people to "see" maps through touch. 

The development center also cooperates with other organizations to produce tactile maps and guide maps for exhibition spaces. For example, the National Palace Museum allows the visually impaired to borrow its tactile guide and read it while touring the museum.

The development center is diligently promoting universal design in the hope that all people, including the visually impaired, will have access to barrier-free facilities that can transform society into a more people-friendly public environment.

以下為中文對照

台灣確立「一綱多本」法條後，教科書由各出版社編製審訂本，也因此教科書版本多元後，視障者所需的點字教科書的量跟著變大。

除了點字以外，要讓視障者能明白課本上的圖像是很重要的。比如地理科的地圖，由於視障者無法看到，他們便無法得知上面的內容，研製中心運用不同的材質在地圖上加工，視障者便能透過不同的材質，「摸」懂地圖。

研製中心還與許多單位合作，製作出展場空間的環境觸摸式平面圖、導覽動線圖等，如故宮的無障礙圖冊，可以讓來到故宮的視障者借閱，便能在邊參觀的時候邊翻閱。

在研製中心努力推行通用設計的概念下，希望不管是視障者或是一般人，都能夠使用無障礙設施，讓公共環境變得更友善。

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