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Accessible Astronomy Activities for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Puerto Rico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 December 2021

Gloria M. Isidro Villamizar Open the ORCID record for Gloria M. Isidro Villamizar [Opens in a new window] ,
Carmen A. Pantoja Pantoja  and
Mayra E. Lebrón Santos
Gloria M. Isidro Villamizar
Affiliation:
Caribbean University, Bayamón Campus Department of Liberal Arts 167 Ave. Km. 21.2 Bayamón, PR, USA, 00960-0493 email: gisidro@caribbean.edu
Carmen A. Pantoja Pantoja
Affiliation:
University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras Natural Sciences Faculty, Department of Physics 17 Ave. Universidad Ste. 1701 San Juan, PR, USA, 00925-2537 email: carmen.pantoja1@upr.edu
Mayra E. Lebrón Santos
Affiliation:
University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras General Sciences Faculty, Department of Physical Sciences 14 Ave. Universidad Ste. 1401 San Juan, PR, USA, 00925-253 email: mayra.lebron3@upr.edu
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Abstract

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We present the design and development of accessibleWe have shortened the running head. Please check. activities in astronomy for blind persons in Puerto Rico. We design for a diverse audience that sees from different perspectives, but with the same purpose: to know and discover the Universe. We adapt tactile materials to develop themes that require visual images. We design and develop three-dimensional tactile material to offer blind people the opportunity to get the conceptual idea of the specific topic under consideration. Listening and designing bearing in mind the voice of blind people with their different life experiences is essential. Through years of experience (2006 – 2020) we have learned to use new strategies in the design and development of tactile materials. We recognize that what we have achieved to date has been possible through the exchange of efforts, collaboration, and volunteering. In recent months, we have been publishing videos with each of the tactile materials, with the purpose of contributing to the literacy of astronomy worldwide.

Keywords

Accessibilityastronomyblind peopleperson with disabilitiestactile materialspopularization of astronomy
Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 15 , Symposium S367: Education and Heritage in the Era of Big Data in Astronomy , December 2019 , pp. 298 - 301
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of International Astronomical Union

References

Alonso, J., Pantoja, C. A., Isidro, G. M. & Bartus, P. (2008). Touching the moon and the stars Astronomy for the Visually Impaired. ASP Conference Series, 389.Google Scholar
Bartus, P., Isidro, G. M., La Rosa, C., & Pantoja, C. (2007). Arecibo Observatory for all Astronomy Education Review, Vol, 6 Issue 1, p. 1-14.Google Scholar
IsidroVillamizar, G. (2009,Aug18). Liderando la Accesibilidad AIA2009PR. https://youtu.be/CStzUGJ7T1QGoogle Scholar
Isidro, G. M. and Pantoja, C. A. (2014). Tactile Sun: Bringing an Invisible Universe to the Visually Impaired CAP Journal 15, pp. 5–7.Google Scholar
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan(2021). ALMA 12-Meter Antenna Paper Models https://www.nao.ac.jp/en/gallery/weekly/2015/20150811-alma.htmlGoogle Scholar
Ortiz Gil, A., Ballesteros Roselló, F., Moya, M. J., Lanzara, M. (2012). Tocar la Luna Época No. 160. Universidad de Valencia, España.Google Scholar