3-D Printer For Blind/Low Vision Students

Funded Nov 22, 2013

Thank you so much for your donations that allowed the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired to purchase a 3-D printer. It has been fun demonstrating to students and staff the possibilities this opens for us. So far we have made bracelets, some animals, and shapes so that students had concrete objects to work with so that we can reinforce their spatial awareness (a very difficult skill for many people who are blind/low vision.)

In addition, the art department is looking into ways to incorporate 3-D designing into their program. One student made a star to complete a sculpture. It does not sound like much, but it's a start! I have some other students who are independently working with some 3-D design apps on tablets to create objects that we can eventually print. It has been quite the challenge to learn how to use 3-D design software. It is a very unique way of working on the computer that no one here has experience with, but we do not shy away from learning new things around here!

My hope for the future is to make the 3-D printer the center piece of a Maker Space in our library to spark creativity and innovation in our students. The possibilities with braille and 3-D printing are endless.

Thank you again for your generosity and have a great summer.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Abbott