Raising The Dots: Computer Aided Design for Dot Pad X

What would it take to make computer-aided design (CAD) accessible to blind and low-vision people?

In the latest episode of Raising the Dots, we’re joined by a multidisciplinary team from the University of Washington to explore how they are using Dot Pad X to make 3D design more accessible.

Carlos Tejada, Dr. Jen Mankoff and Dr. Joshua Miele share their work to rethink how blind and low-vision students and professionals interact with CAD, moving beyond traditional visual interfaces to explore tactile ways of understanding and working with 3D models.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why conventional CAD tools create barriers for blind and low-vision users.
• How 3D models can be translated into tactile cross-sections using Dot Pad X.
• How tactile workflows could reduce lengthy design and fabrication cycles.
• The development of a new web-based tool that allows users to explore 3D models, with features including panning, zooming and different display modes.
• Why collaboration between researchers, designers and people with lived experience is essential to developing accessible technology.

This is an exciting example of how tactile technology can open up new possibilities in education, design and professional practice.

Listen to the latest episode of Raising the Dots:  Tactile Computer Aided Design 

Explore the team's accessible CAD project: https://cada11y.cs.washington.edu/

Help shape the future of braille: The Global Braille Usage Survey is collecting feedback until the end of the year. Take part at https://tiny.cc/braillesurvey

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