Communicating Chemical Concepts through Braille and other Tactile Approaches H. David Wohlers, Cary A. Supalo, Lindy Walton, Cheryl Wecels, and Greg J. Williams

Abstract The Braille Authority of North America (BANA) established in 2013 an Ad Hoc committee on Chemistry to revise the Chemistry Braille Code adopted in 1997. This committee consists of three totally blind chemists, and two professional Braille transcribers. The Committee has 1) explored how to standardize the way the Periodic Table is represented in Braille; 2) examined how acronyms and abbreviations can best be reflective of the new Unified English Braille Code recently adopted in the United States; and 3) collaborated with the Tactile Graphics Committee of BANA on standard ways to present molecular drawings. The advent of new Braille embossing and 3-d printing technologies provides for additional approaches for representing chemical concepts. This presentation will include illustrations of both tactile graphics and Braille symbology along with updated representations of chemistry terminology and other chemical equations.

Braille Authority of North America BANA www.brailleauthority.org The mission of the BANA is to assure literacy for tactile readers through the standardization of braille and/or tactile graphics. BANA officially came into existence in its current form in 1976. Current Braille code: Unified English Braille (UEB) – adopted January 4th, 2016 http://www.brailleauthority.org/aboutbana/bana-history.html

Nemeth Braille Code Encodes mathematical and scientific notation First written in 1952 Integrated into UEB in 1992 http://www.brailleauthority.org/mathscience/math-science.html

Ad Hoc Committee The Braille Code for Chemistry in its current form was adopted in 1997 The committee was appointed in 2013 Initial Charges to the committee (4/28/2012): 222 Perform an evaluation on the efficiency of the current chemistry code and to identify and list areas of the code which may be in need of revision 223 Develop guidelines for producing the Periodic Table of Elements by reviewing the current methods of transcribing such material and recommending a standardized format 224 Clarify the Chemistry Code rules regarding capitalization and punctuation of abbreviations and acronyms and the rules for transcribing single letter chemical symbols.

Ad Hoc Committee cont. Recent charges (11/18/2014): 266 Update and revise the braille chemical notation. 267 Work with the Nemeth-UEB task force. 283 Prepare a provisional guidance document for using the Chemistry Code within UEB

Braille Versions of the Periodic Table https://shop.aph.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_core%20curriculum%20science%20physics%20atomic%20atoms%20chemistry%20physical%20science%20elements%20atomic%20number%20electrons%20guidebooks%20book_1037428P_10001_11051

Tactile Graphics by Polly K. Edman Published 1992 ISBN-13: 978-0891281948 ISBN-10: 0891281940

DRAFTSMAN Tactile Drawing Board Versatile tactile drawing board that is used in combination with special film and a stylus to create instant raised-line drawings. DRAFTSMAN drawing board is intended for a wide audience, such as visually impaired students, teachers, parents, and adults. https://shop.aph.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11051&storeId=10001&krypto=31JzqdYM5WUelQ3XN%2FJ0UX0rpfC1KqIg%2BhV7ClZr5k6zlq0N3DsIdQZPEAbGyxw48HC017Yyf5oCgIKQxhDdGflhLbXngasuaM3venGXBD%2B7KHravAM5oS2H7tHXQ1jgV40kwYtql8iGfOaKZIdOPHoluSGNUjIaVwvhJPDDIII%3D&ddkey=http:ProductDisplay

Thermoform EZ-Form Brailon® Duplicator Safe and easy to use, the EZ-Form makes permanent and inexpensive teaching aids and Braille copies from a single master and Brailon®. http://www.americanthermoform.com/product/e-z-form-thermoform-machine/

Thermal Image Enhancer Swell Form Graphics Machine The Swell Form Graphics Machine (often referred to as a fuser) is a simple, fast and low cost method of creating tactile maps, diagrams, text and graphics. Using the special Swell Touch paper, simply print onto this paper. Once printed, run this paper through the Swell Form Graphics Machine. As it goes through this machine, the heat reacts with the black ink (only the black ink, no colors) and causes it to “swell” or puff up, creating the tactile image. The rest of the paper and any colors, will remain flat. http://www.americanthermoform.com/product/swell-form-graphics-ii-machine/

Braille Embosser Index Basic-D V5 It uses fanfold paper to produce single or double-sided braille. Compact size 100 characters per second Print from portable devices Braille and text labeled control panel Tractor-fed: the most reliable paper feeding method​ http://www.indexbraille.com/en-us/braille-embossers/basic-d-v5?c=EUR

Tiger Printer from ViewPlus The ViewPlus Tiger Max Braille embosser is called the “fastest, most versatile desktop Braille printer on the market.” It is quiet, easy to use and delivers the highest quality Braille and tactile graphics http://www.nelowvision.com/product/view-plus-tiger-max-embosser/

Contact Information Email: wohlers@truman.edu Phone number: (660) 785-4625 http://devise.truman.edu wohlers.sites.truman.edu