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Tag: Inclusive design

Accessible tactile 3D printed restroom maps for blind visitors

Published February 11, 2026 by Tom

If you are blind, when you visit a restroom by default you will end up touching many more things than sighted people to find the same facilities. Wouldn’t it be great to minimize contact with things you wouldn’t need to touch in the first place?

This is why I invented the accessible tactile 3D printed restroom maps.

A tactile restroom map is a 3D-printed miniature replica of a restroom’s layout, mounted beside the ADA sign, that blind visitors can feel before entering.

When a blind person visits a restroom, before they enter they can quickly examine a map of the exact layout of the restroom so they can go exactly where they want to without having to explore and accidentally touch more than necessary.

accessible tactile restroom map including a sink, toilets, urinals, paper holders, hand dryer and doors.

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How 3D Printing Is Revolutionizing Accessibility for Blind People

Published March 13, 2025 by Tom

Over the years, technology has improved inclusivity for people with disabilities. One of the most notable inventions in recent years is 3D printing. This revolutionary technology is changing the lives of the blind and visually impaired by making assistive devices, Braille, and other aids for touch-based learning materials more easily and affordably. This, in turn, makes education, movement, and other daily tasks more accessible.

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How Tactile Maps Help Blind People?

Published January 26, 2025 by Tom

Tactile maps are a breakthrough that grants blind or visually impaired people an easy means to comprehend their surroundings. Designed with raised features and braille, these maps can skillfully bridge the gap between the navigation of sighted and non-sighted people, fostering accessibility and inclusivity.

This article explores the benefits, applications, and impact of tactile maps on people with visual impairment.

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Designing an inclusive and accessible alarm clock

Published February 19, 2024 by Tom

Let’s play a design game. The task is to come up with the most accessible, most inclusive alarm clock.

I used to give this task to my classes when I was teaching at IBM, and we had the most thought provoking conversations.

There are no good or bad ideas here. But consider that the more inclusive you make it, the more features you add, the more expensive it will get, at some point it will be unreasonable. But the more you compromise on features, the less people will be able to use it.

Let me set one more rule here, it is a standalone clock. Anything it can do it is part of the clock you design. Otherwise, it would be easy to say that you will just connect to it using your phone and an app, which probably would be your most inclusive solution.

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