Accessible Test

Sense of Science: Astronomy Quick Fact Cards

(New)
The Project Leader decided to make several components part of the kit and separately available as catalog items. Based on results on experimentation with offset printing directly onto vinyl, Technical Research proposed having these cards printed on vinyl and then cold form embossing with plates on the clamshell presses. This printing method would allow for realistic photo print images on a medium (white vinyl) that would be extremely durable. The vendor currently printing on vinyl confirmed that they could print two-sided or backed up sheets. Several 8.5” x 11” sheets were taken to Braille and embossed in order to determine the quality of the braille. This material embossed extremely well with text only. The Project Leader decided on using this method of production for the Quick Fact Cards in the product.

Sound Adapted Tangle Balls

(New)
Technical Research met with the Project Leader to discuss this new product. It will contain off the shelf items, print and braille, and an existing part already produced by APH. Technical Research is beginning work on specs and will try to have a specification meeting in September 2009.

SQUID: Tactile Activities Magazine Issue 6

(Completed)
This product was originally scheduled for production in February 2009. There were a number of delays in getting this product completed, primarily because of the workload in Production areas. There were unfortunately some errors made during production that caused some stoppages and re-working of product. The braille file could not be found when production was about to begin. Essentially the whole braille file had to be re-created. Some portions completed by a previous transcriber were found and were incorporated into the file, which did save some time. Other materials were scanned and converted to complete the file. The scanning of materials likely caused an additional problem that was not found until the books had been bound. There was originally to be a graphics page collated into the book. Without notes from the original braille file, this graphics page was not noted. The page had text on it instead of just being a “placeholder” page with only a braille number. This threw the collation off. The Project Leader stated that the page was essential, requiring all books to be unbound, the graphics page inserted, and rebound. Specifications called for the graphics page to be run 2-up, in order to cut in half the run time on the production floor. The Production Supervisor turned over one of the two plates to the Project Leader. This resulted in the pages being run just 1-up. As the activity pages were being collated into packs, the Project Leader found that some vacuum-formed activity pages were poorly formed. Initially the Project Leader called for the sheets to be re-run, but after culling through the formed sheets, only a small percentage were found to be unacceptable. Production was completed, and the product was put into stock in May.

SQUID, Tactile Activities Magazine Issue 7

(New)
The Project Leader asked to set up a schedule for Issue 7 at the spec meeting for Issue 6. A catalog number was requested and the product has been placed on the production timeline. Technical Research will design a work schedule to develop product specifications for this product.

Step by Step: An Interactive Guide to Mobility

(New)
Technical Research met with the Project Leader to discuss the various parts of this product and to get an idea of the time involved to produce product specifications. Once all the parts in the kit are finalized, Technical Research will develop product specifications and conduct a specification turn over meeting.

Sudoku Partner 6x6

(Continued)
Technical Research worked with the Project Leader and the Model Shop to create drawings for use on the CNC router to make patterns needed for molds to make field test prototypes. After reviewing several designs of the part the Project Leader requested another series of changes and added features to the part. The engineer in the Model Shop made a small test pattern to provide the Project Leader with samples. The samples were approved and the Model Shop had RPM parts made of a single cell and poured multiple copies of the RPM part to make molds for both the 6x6 and a 9x9 Sudoku cell version. Technical Research met with the Project Leader and Model Shop in June to discuss revisions to the product following field testing. Substantial redesign was required, with most of this work falling to the Model Shop. Technical Research has little involvement at this time. The 9x9 version of the Sudoku partner product is being re-considered. The 9x9 version will not be started on until the tooling for the 6x6 version is complete. The 9x9 version may or may not be made. Technical Research will begin work on product specifications as details become available and will hold on product specifications for the 9x9 pending a decision on whether or not to move forward with this version of the product.

Super-Sized File Pocket

(New)
This is a free-standing folder suitable in size to hold standard (11.5x11) Braille. This project was turned over to Technical Research in June. Technical Research created a concept drawing of the product and worked with Purchasing in July to obtain vendor quotes. The first quotes arrived in August with the last quote expected in September. Following selection of a vendor, Technical Research will monitor this product through its completion and availability for sale. This should be early in fiscal 2010.

Tactile Tangrams

(New)
The Project Leader called an initial BS-PDC meeting in September 2008. In August 2009, the Project Leader contacted Technical Research about recommendations to run the textbook on the Interpoint 55 embossing machine. This machine has the ability to merge simple raised dot graphics with braille text. Technical Research generated a sample Tangram and ran several samples on the machine for the Project Leader to evaluate. If the Project Leader decides that this is an acceptable method to convey the Tangram concept it will eliminate the need for raised line embossing with plates and reduce the complexity and cost of the product. If the method is found acceptable, Technical Research will work with Braille Transcription to instruct on how to create tactile images and import them into braille text documents. This product currently has specifications scheduled for June 2010.