Designing Tactile Schematics: Improving Electronic Circuit Accessibility

Schematics are a visual language used to describe the relationships between components in an electronic circuit and present accessibility challenges for blind, low vision, and tactile learners. Creating discernible tactile schematics using low-cost microcapsule fusers (which create raised surfaces on paper) is non-trivial as circuit diagrams contain small elements, complex relationships, and must follow industry standards. We conducted iterative design activities with tactile graphic experts, blind and low vision students wanting to learn schematics, graphic designers, and physical computing instructors to create an improved set of tactile schematic symbols and nine guidelines for novices to create readable tactile graphics for schematics.