Accessible astronomy for the visually impaired in Ireland

I was thinking recently about whether astronomy as a hobby could be made more accessible to those with visual impairments. Once I started looking into it I discovered that there already exists a massive amount of material and workshops around the world which facilitate this. The sorts of accommodations that are used include things like Braille maps of the moon and tactile representations of the cosmos, assistive technology or simply large print books. So I was wondering if Ireland has similar programmes or workshops which do outreach to blind students? I couldn't see any obvious activity around this.

slade_x

patricksars wrote: »

I was thinking recently about whether astronomy as a hobby could be made more accessible to those with visual impairments. Once I started looking into it I discovered that there already exists a massive amount of material and workshops around the world which facilitate this. The sorts of accommodations that are used include things like Braille maps of the moon and tactile representations of the cosmos, assistive technology or simply large print books. So I was wondering if Ireland has similar programmes or workshops which do outreach to blind students? I couldn't see any obvious activity around this.

Unfortunately im not aware of any in Ireland. I'd imagine some may think a blind astronomer may not serve a valid purpose, but you just never know, Wanda Diaz at least would disagree;

http://blogs.howstuffworks.com/2011/05/23/space-music-the-blind-astrophysicist-and-pop-music-astronomy/

slade_x

slade_x wrote: »

Unfortunately im not aware of any in Ireland. I'd imagine some may think a blind astronomer may not serve a valid purpose, but you just never know, Wanda Diaz at least would disagree;

http://blogs.howstuffworks.com/2011/05/23/space-music-the-blind-astrophysicist-and-pop-music-astronomy/

So would Dr. D. Kent Cullers disagree since he was a manager within SETI for years but was blind since birth

Thanks for the great link by the way.

clln

patricksars wrote: »

So would Dr. D. Kent Cullers disagree since he was a manager within SETI for years but was blind since birth

Very thoughtful post by You patricksars and thoughtful reply by slade_x

Stargate

clln wrote: »

Very thoughtful post by You patricksars and thoughtful reply by slade_x

Have to say what a fantastic thread patricksars !!

squonk

Great thread! I'm partially sighted but am able to read most books so it's not a problem for me. I do however have sme problems in recognising faint detail in planets and other objects seen through a telescope. I also have a condition called Nystagmus that causes my eyes to move around constantly so that has disadvantages to using telescopes also.

Having said all that, for what I can see, the hobby is still really well worth the effort and I get a real kick out of it. I've got my own scope which I'm looking forward to taking out again over the winter. What I will do in the longer term though is try to move away from eyepiece viewing and use a CCD or something similar to get the images onto an iPad which would allow me to maximise the detail I'll be able to see.

I haven't even begun researching this yet as the cost of the scope and eyepieces was enough for now but I think we're lucky that modern technology is making hobbies like astronomy more accessible as we go. Even 20 years ago I think there would have been a case for my not buying a scope because the cost would have outweighed the use I'd get out of it. Now it's different. Mind you, considering the weather in this neck of the woods, the case might still be valid

Rubecula

I agree with Squonk, this is a great thread. There are many forms of astonomy that folks with impaired sight could be really helpful with. Good luck to anyone who tackles the challenge of astronomy with such a massive handicap.

Thanks for all the really great responses from people here- it's convinced me to take this idea forward. I'll see first if there's a demand in this country from schools, or from support groups for workshops and if so, decide who best can deliver it. Maybe simply having some tactile-based astronomy books in schools catering to students with disabilities could be a start.

As Squonk said, astronomy is such an amazing area to become involved in and with a little bit of extra effort it could be opened up to so many others!

Any more ideas from people on this topic would be appreciated!!

eilejh

clln wrote: »

Very thoughtful post by You patricksars and thoughtful reply by slade_x

Very diplomatic of you Clln. (Clan?);)

clln

eilejh wrote: »

Very diplomatic of you Clln. (Clan?);)

eilejh everybody on this thread is posting their sincere feelings,not being diplomatic.
at least You called me CLLN not CLIN this time, i was going to start calling you EIEIO if you called me CLIN again!

There is a joke in Ireland about a Texan visiting Ireland and as he is shown all the sights he keeps insisting that "back home all our roads/planes/military/everything/ is Bigger"
When shown a freshly picked Irish Potato he says "Back home our Potato's are much bigger"
At that point the Guide finally gets ticked off and replies:
"Ah but in Ireland We grow our Potato's to fit our mouths"!

As Dubya once said " I just love America,because it is full of Americans"

eilejh

That particular Texan was a liar for sure! Especially about the potatos!
Anyway, didn't mean to offend you CLLN. I am sorry if I did.

Now, back on topic. Where I work right now, we are all having to go to a mandatory training class in 'Accessibility' with sending documents. ALL documents...graphs, charts, Word, Excel etc.
In other words, we are going to learn how to 'sequence' our documents so as to be accessible to any type reader out there. Including Braille users. So another big change for the State of (gulp! dare I say Texas). This Accessibility Program will be implemented starting September this year.
I hope this adds to the thread's good intent and if I am off please forgive me.....

eilejh

patricksars wrote: »

Thanks for all the really great responses from people here- it's convinced me to take this idea forward. I'll see first if there's a demand in this country from schools, or from support groups for workshops and if so, decide who best can deliver it. Maybe simply having some tactile-based astronomy books in schools catering to students with disabilities could be a start.

As Squonk said, astronomy is such an amazing area to become involved in and with a little bit of extra effort it could be opened up to so many others!

Any more ideas from people on this topic would be appreciated!!

I did a lot of searching and research on this topic and you are so right...there could be more more more in Ireland. I suggest you contact local Astronomy groups or clubs first to garner support.
I would call and/or visit local libraries to check out their available in-house resources. Then appeal to the head Librarian.
I would also contact local Universities, and also your lowest level local lawmaker's office, make friends with them, and work your way 'up'.
Check into Government or Science Grants from any available sources and campaign for gratis grant-writers for those books in schools.
Write NASA for suggestions and liaisons in the field in Ireland.
Solicit donations for books, technical software etc.

You need a good team behind you to help, so start your own 'meet-up group or club and garner support and together you can all get active and form committees to get this going.
In essence, seems as if YOU will have to start a revolution in this area. A lot of work, a lot of responsibility, a lot of reward.
What a wonderful worthwhile project.
Wish I could help more.....

clln

eilejh wrote: »

Wish I could help more.....

eilejh i know that you really mean that!

eilejh

clln wrote: »

eilejh i know that you really mean that!

Thanks for that CLLN...and I am happy u replied so that this thread will stay alive and hopefully help bring attention to Patricksars wish to reach out and help the visually-impaired community who love astronomy.

In my research I did find some articles about employees of NASA who are visually-impaired. That is why I suggested he contact someone at NASA.
http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw050102

Also, NASA provides educators with materials. When Patricksars contacts his local librarian, he could tell the librarian about NASA's educational programs, and perhaps that librarian could order those for the library. Same thing with schools. Here is a couple of links

http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/about/index.html
http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/national/core/home/index.html

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/k-4/features/F_NASA_Dedicated_Students_Disabilities.html

Patricksars has to become a very squeaky wheel...just like you CLLN! (smiling when I say that)

eilejh

Here is Noreen Grice's web page..she has a new book out too!

http://www.youcandoastronomy.com/

http://www.youcandoastronomy.com/everyuniversebook.htm

http://youtu.be/aoAWTA7rIKE

eilejh

Any updates Patricksars? Just wondering, and hoping you have found some good resources. Have you polled the schools or reached out to community? When does school start up again and who does the budget?

Do you have a target age to start this wonderful program...sometimes it helps to just break it down.