Data for all: Tactile graphics that light up with picture-perfect resolution

People who are blind do not have access to graphical data and imagery produced by science. This exclusion complicates learning and data sharing between sighted and blind persons. Because blind people use tactile senses to visualize data (and sighted people use eyesight), a single data format that can be easily visualized by both is needed. Here, we report that graphical data can be three-dimensionally printed into tactile graphics that glow with videolike resolution via the lithophane effect. Lithophane forms of gel electropherograms, micrographs, electronic and mass spectra, and textbook illustrations could be interpreted by touch or eyesight at >= 79% accuracy (n = 360). The lithophane data format enables universal visualization of data by people regardless of their level of eyesight.

Automated summary

This article introduces a method of printing graphical data into tactile graphics using the lithophane effect. This method allows both blind and sighted individuals to interpret the data through touch or vision.