Throwback Thursday Object: Tactile Map of Southeast Asia

By -
I love maps.  Maps help us find where we are right now, but they also help us dream of places we would like to go, and learn about places far away that we may never visit in person.  We have lots of maps here at APH, because geography is one of those core curriculum subjects that is not very accessible until you make a few adaptations.  Our object this week is a thermoformed relief map of Southeast Asia including the historical parts of Indochina—think Vietnam and Thailand--and island nations like Indonesia and the Philippines.  If you are not familiar with thermoforming, it basically involves heating sheet plastic in a way that forces it to form over a mold.  This one comes from a set made by the American Foundation for Oversea Blind (AFOB), around 1950, in Paris, France.  The water is indicated by horizontal ridges, and the relief helps you understand how mountainous the peninsula and many of the larger islands are.  The map is geopolitical, meaning it has national borders in raised lines, and the nations are keyed in braille, although the key to the captions is not embossed on the map itself.  The plastic is the same institutional green as my elementary school, although I don’t think that comes through in this photograph.  Back in the day, it was considered a calming and soothing color.  Perfect for studying geography!
Micheal A. Hudson
Museum Director
American Printing House for the Blind

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MATT Connect Software Gets Update

By -
Image
The MATT Connect from APH just got a makeover! We're happy to announce software modifications that will benefit all MATT Connect users. This software update, which is exclusive to APH, will change the interface options. Currently, users have two options: Standard and Simple. The Simple Interface will be completely removed and the MATT Connect will now feature three interfaces: Basic, Standard, and Advanced! These interfaces will increase user-ability for learners of all skills and ages.

Basic Interface will allow the MATT Connect to operate as a basic video magnifier. Users will have access to two live image modes: Magnifier and Distance Viewing. This setting is perfect for first time assistive tech users, young and old. With simplified options on the button banner, users will more easily learn to operate this interface. Personalized settings can be locked by a teacher or caregiver to ensure end users get the most out of their MATT Connect.

If you choose the Standard Interface, you…
Read More »

President Trump Signs Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act

By -
Image
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (October 11, 2018) – On Tuesday President Trump gave final approval to the Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act. This comes after bipartisan support of the bill in the both the House and the Senate. The change gives Americans who are blind or visually impaired access to accessible books from more than 40 countries that have joined the Marrakesh Treaty.
“We are excited to see the United States government understand how important accessible books are for everyone,” said Gary Mudd, VP of Government and Community Affairs at American Printing House for the Blind (APH). “At APH, we believe accessible information is more than a convenience, but a human right. We look forward to the role we will play in the sharing of these important publications. This is a major step forward for people who are blind or visually impaired here in the states, and across the globe.”
The Marrakesh Treaty creates a copyright exemption for domestic reproduction and use of accessible literary works an…
Read More »

UPDATED! Oldies but Goodies: "Established" APH Products

By Michael McCarty -
Image
by Monica Turner
As a Field Services Representative, one of my responsibilities is to go to conferences and exhibit APH products. Oftentimes I will display many of the new and exciting products that we have to offer in order to provide consumers an opportunity to see the items firsthand before making the decision to purchase them. While it is wonderful that APH has been producing so many new products over the past several years, I find that I'm not often able to take along as many of the wonderful, older products that we still have available. We give you information about our new products each month as they are released, and we have been thinking that it might be beneficial to also go back and revisit some of the "oldies but goodies." We hope you agree and we welcome any suggestions you may have about products that you would like to see highlighted.

Please send your comments and suggestions to Monica Turner at mmturner@aph.org.

More "oldies but goodies" added t…
Read More »