Talking Tactile Tablet’ (T.T.T.), is a touch sensitive, multi sensory device that provides instant audio feedback from tactile images. The combination of sound and touch transforms the way in which people who are visually impaired can access graphical information.

A tablet, much a like a chapter in a book, is inserted into the T.T.T. When users touch the screen, they can either read Braille or run fingers over a raised graphic while a synthesized voice describes it.

The small, portable device can be plugged into any P.C. with a U.S.B. connection. It is convenient and easy to use, no additional battery or drivers are necessary. Above all, T.T.T. is interactive. It comes with a talking world map, games and an authoring tool, which can be used to develop new course curriculum.

The T.T.T. uses two voices. One voice describes the graphics in a synthetic, digitised voice. The other voice asks and answers questions in a recorded human voice.

The device has been developed by Karen Gourgey, of the ‘Computer Centre for Visually Impaired People’ and Steve Landau of ‘Touch Graphics Incorporate’ (New York, U.S.A.).

Gourgey, who was born blind, has been with the centre since the late 1970s. From very early on in her career, she knew that fusing literacy with technology would be the key to working with visually impaired students.