3Doodler is proud to raise awareness and create accessible ways for visually impaired individuals to interact with art, literature, and symbolism.

In recognition of Braille Literacy Month and in remembrance of Louis Braille, who was born on January 4th, 1809, we are pleased to share a snapshot of the incredible work that teachers and students did to transform storybooks using their 3D pens in support of the blind and visually impaired as part of 3D Giving Day.

Support for the Visually Impaired

3D Giving Day is a unique opportunity to bring together students and creators from around the world to use 3Doodler pens and transform the pages of storybooks into tactile, 3D learning tools, giving the visually impaired a new way to connect with literature.

In partnership with the Build a Better Book project, based at the University of Colorado Boulder, 3Doodler was able to reach out to invite students and their teachers to help support people with visual impairments as well as other learning disabilities. Together, we encouraged middle and high school youth to develop their hands-on tech skills and learn about their community as they design and create accessible, multi-modal picture books, graphics, and even games that people can experience through touch.

Here is a message from a member of the after-school program at CCHY in Picayune, Mississippi, explaining 3D Giving Day, in her own words.

Teachers, students, and creators across the country made picture books more accessible with images that readers could touch and feel to trace the outline of images or text. The opportunity to combine touch and sensory experience through tactile books ensures that blind and low vision individuals can access classic stories in new, imaginative ways.

"In a challenging year, we are grateful that so many teachers and students stepped up to support their local community with picture books to aid the blind and visually impaired."-Maxwell Bogue, Co-Founder at 3Doodler Share

Here are just a few examples that were submitted to 3Doodler by participating schools around the country.

The finished products were donated to libraries, hospitals, and preschools with blind and visually impaired programs in December 2020.

As part of an ongoing effort to provide students with the appropriate tools to learn from home due to the current pandemic, the picture books were adapted for at-home use to ensure that education and collaboration would continue to thrive.

Creative Freedom Through Accessibility

3Doodler is committed to making our products accessible to all users, lowering barriers and obstacles, and putting the power of creativity into the hands of more people.

Recognized by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), one of the UK’s leading sight loss charities and the largest community of blind and partially sighted people, 3Doodler incorporates unique features to help users navigate their 3D pens and offers audio files for additional orientation.