For the blind and visually impaired, learning to read Braille is very important. However, for most people, Braille learning resources are either too expensive or inefficient.
Now, a new educational puzzle can be 3D printed using an Ultimaker printer, allowing everyone to learn this important skill.
The ability to read Braille empowers visually impaired individuals to process information effectively without relying on screen reader technology. Learning Braille increases opportunities for higher education
and employment by 3 times.
Digital Braille reading devices cost over $1,000, making them unaffordable for 90% of blind and visually impaired individuals living in developing countries.
These places often only provide the most basic equipment and outdated learning materials, making it difficult for visually impaired individuals to master the skill.
This is where Fittle (3D printed) application is most suitable.
Fittle Puzzle
A group of designers and eye care specialists created the first 3D printed Braille puzzle.
Fittle is a collaborative project between Indian designer Tania Jain, India's leading eye care institute LVPEI, German educational toy company Ravensburger, and the independent global communications
organization Serviceplan.
Each puzzle set is divided into several pieces. When connected, they form words and objects. Connection markers help learners combine them through touch.
Once assembled, the Braille word for the object is revealed.
"So far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. More and more children are learning Braille better with Fittle."
These parts are printed with a hollow design to minimize material usage. The low cost of 3D printing prototypes also allows for more perfect designs with feedback from blind users.
An increasing number of Fittle shapes have been specially designed for 3D printing and then distributed in many regions of India.
LVPEI uses Ultimaker to produce puzzles Learning Braille with Fittle Fish
Expanding 3D Printing
With the support of Novabeans, the Fittle project team decided to use the Ultimaker 2+ 3D printer, which offered them the necessary balance of price, quality, and usability.
Their initial prototypes were made of wood, but for the product to be truly accessible, a cheaper solution was needed.
The team initially tried using larger industrial-grade 3D printers, but these proved to be too expensive or unable to reliably produce durable and accurate
models. Using Ultimaker printers, Fittle can meet demand with 3D printed puzzles, which are then distributed to LVPEI's regional centers
where they are given to Braille learners.
The difference 3D printing can make is enormous. Compared to $10,000, Fittle can provide four digital Braille readers or 200 Braille books.
But the same investment can provide 16,000 3D printed puzzles and the cost of the printer.
Christoph Bohlender, Creative Director at Serviceplan Health & Life, said: "So far, the response has been very widely communicated. More and more
children are learning Braille better with Fittle."
Their plans for the future? The Fittle team hopes to fund more printers, send out more puzzles, create more shapes, and eventually move into other regions.
You can visit the Fittle website to donate to this project, download models, or learn Braille!
Original source: https://ultimaker.com/en/stories/52510-3d-printed-puzzle-breaks-down-braille-barriers