Tactile graphics can be a great way to introduce young students to braille or a way to enhance the reading experience for older braille readers.

Tactile graphics are raised lines and illustrations that blind readers can feel as they read. Some even include different textures (sort of like very advanced touch-and-feel books). Though this sounds like a simple way to represent pictures for blind readers, it actually takes time to learn how to decipher the images and the more exposure you have to tactile graphics, the better you'll be at it!

• American Printing House for the Blind
  1839 Frankfor Avenue
  Louisville, KY, 40206
  Phone: (800) 223-1839
  Web: www.aph.org

  Squid magazine produced at APH has activities that feature tactile graphics.
  Braille Tactile Anatomy Atlas
  Tactile Demonstration Thermometer

• American Thermoform Corporation
  1758 Bracket Street
  La Verne, CA 91750
  Phone: (909) 593-6711
  Toll-free: (800) 331 3676
  Fax: (909) 593-8001
  Email: sales@americanthermoform.com
  Web: americanthermoform.com

  Thermoform duplicating machines, graphics machines

• Creative Adaptations for Learning (CAL)
  38 Beverly Road
  Great Neck, NY 11021-1330
  Phone: (516) 466-9143
  Email: calinfo@cal-s.org
  Web: www.cal-s.org/index.html

  This company sells books and flash cards with tactile graphics.

• National Braille Press
  88 Saint Stephen Street
  Boston, MA 02115
  Phone: (800) 548-7323
  Email: orders@nbp.org
  Web: www.braille.com

  Featured product: The Braille Caravan, an amazing tactile toy for teaching braille.

  New! Tactile American Flags, including the Pledge of Allegiance in either contracted or uncontracted braille.

  Sells several tactile products: Illustrated Tactile Alphabet Flashcards, Goodnight Moon to Touch, Noah's Animals to Touch, Touch and Learn Tactile Activity Book, Humpty Dumpty and Other Touching Rhymes, Sadie Can Count, Tactile Greeting Cards, and Touch the Stars.

• The Princeton Braillists
  76 Leabrook Lane
  Princeton, NJ 08540
  Phone: 609.924.5207
  Web: http://mysite.verizon.net/resvqbxe/princetonbraillists

  Produces and sells several United States and world tactile atlases.

• Sensational Books!
  PO Box 261085
  Lakewood, CO 80226
  Web: www.SensationalBooks.com
• Independent Living Aids, Inc.
  PO Box 9022
  Hicksville, NY 11802-9022
  Phone: 800.537.2118
  Email: techsupport@independentliving.com
  Web: www.independentliving.com

  Offers Teachable Touchable Texture Squares and
  Touch-Tactile Recognition Game

• Exceptional Teaching, Inc.
  5673 W. Las Positas Blvd. #207
  Pleasanton, CA 94588-4077
  Phone: 800.549.6999
  Web: www.ExceptionalTeaching.com

  Touch and Color coloring books, Wikki Stix Activity Set,
  Peel & Stick Wonderfoam, Scented Play Clay

• Online Tactile Resources List
  Web: http://www.tactilegraphics.org/resources.html
• Resources and information about tactile graphics producers and programs can be found at the Duxbury Systems, Inc. website:
  Web: http://www.duxburysystems.com/tgd.asp?choice=pro

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