New e-book for the visually impaired makes astronomy accessible through touch and sound
Children with visual disabilities can experience striking deep-space images like never before in a free multi-touch iBooks textbook for the iPad entitled “Reach for the Stars: Touch, Look, Listen, Learn.”
Astronomers at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) have teamed up with the SAS Corporation, the National Braille Press, and the National Federation for the Blind to create a book to inspire students of all abilities to pursue future careers in science. The book incorporates new assistive technologies to help the seeing impaired.
STScI astronomer Elena Sabbi worked with developers to translate colourful imagery from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope into content accessible to all students, including students with visual disabilities.
The development of the e-book is funded by a Hubble education and public outreach grant.
