A full paper reporting this research has been submitted for publication. The following is a brief overview of the research.
Project led by Dr. Sarah Morley Wilkins, Director of the National Centre for Tactile Diagrams, the pack researched and developed by Gemma Gray, Research Assistant.
The Need
Universities have a legal obligation to provide equal access to all aspects of a student’s learning and teaching environment, yet we know from experience and previous research that providing access to the graphical parts of a blind or partially sighted student’s course is often the most difficult, and is therefore often neglected – to the substantial disadvantage of the student.
As part of a HEFCE/DELNI funded project, psychologists at the National Centre for Tactile Diagrams set out to explore the development of a resource for psychology which would immediately benefit blind and partially sighted students and their lecturers.
This potential resource was considered as a possible alternative to the relatively expensive and time-consuming activity of providing many bespoke tactile graphics for different students across the UK, which for many reasons rarely gives students the materials they need when they actually need them, putting them at a distinct disadvantage in the teaching and learning environment.
In addition, we identified a need to give staff guidance on how to deliver more accessible learning and teaching for blind and partially sighted students, particularly relating to the graphical parts of their material.
User Involvement
Interviews with 12 blind and partially sighted students and graduates and 4 psychology lecturers experienced at teaching students with sight problems established that such a resource would be valuable, and helped us to determine which subject areas to concentrate on.
After in-depth research of the psychology curriculum and reviews of popular textbooks, a prototype ‘Core Tactile Graphics Resource Pack for Psychology’ was developed, in further consultation with end users and experts.
This provided access to 54 complex images in the core BPS curriculum areas, coupled with support materials for both students and HE staff.
Initial evaluations with end users and lecturers confirmed that the Pack was a beneficial resource for blind and partially sighted students and their lecturers; giving students: an understanding of key topics which previously had been impossible to comprehend, and independent study materials; and giving staff the knowledge and confidence to deliver accessible, and therefore, effective and inclusive learning and teaching.
The Finished Resource
After tailoring the pack into a format suitable for mass-production, the final ‘Core Graphics Pack (CGP): Psychology’ provides an immediate and effective set of materials and guidance, helping universities to provide more timely and inclusive learning and teaching in Psychology subject areas, and to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. It is endorsed by the Higher Education Academy Psychology Network.
During January 2004, the first print run of the CGP: Psychology was produced and was purchased by a number of higher education psychology departments. Recent evaluation of the pack by these departments established that it is easy to use, with helpful guidelines for use and good coverage of diagrammatic information, and all departments felt that the pack is useful in supporting blind and partially sighted psychology students.
Core Graphics Packs for Other Subject Areas
Psychology was chosen for this pilot because of its heavy use of visual images and its popularity with all students, including blind and partially sighted students.
The principles behind the successful development of this Psychology resource can be replicated for other subject areas.
We would be interested in hearing from you if you would like us to help us to develop a Core Graphics Pack for your subject area. Please contact us.
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