Tactile books for blind children: a design for all approach

Tactile books are devices that combine Braille texts and tactile pictures to promote access to books and reading for blind children. In this paper we shall present our recent Research and Development projects conducted in a publishing house for the blind called Les Doigts Qui Rêvent (Dreaming fingers). We will first discuss the cultural and semiotics aspects involved in the creation of tactile pictures and the possibilities of using these resources as mediators between the visual and non-visual world. We will then analyze more closely two types of illustrations created for the blind: one most common model “raised visual illustrations”, and an alternative model “haptic illustrations” exploring sensorial experiences shared by blind and sighted. We shall use examples of books to show why this model, which works with a type of iconicity based rather on actions performed on an object than on its sole visual proprieties, is most appropriated in terms of inclusion and Design for all. We shall finally introduce a new project to create an educative device for the blind using the method of Participatory design. We promote this method to value the voice of blind people but also, and above all, to change the standard practice of “projection” common in this field: sighted designers who are trying to put themselves in the place of blind people.