Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
23 results found in tactile accessibility.
- Board Game Accessibility (Tabletop Game Accessibility)
- The practice of making physical board games, card games, and tabletop games playable by people with disabilities. Most commercial board games rely heavily on visual information — printed text, colors,…
- Braille Cell (Braille Character, Six-Dot Cell)
- The fundamental unit of the Braille writing system, consisting of a rectangular arrangement of up to six raised dots in a 3x2 matrix (three rows, two columns). Each dot position is numbered 1-6, with …
- Dynamic Tactile Graphics (Interactive Tactile Graphics, Animated Tactile Graphics)
- Tactile representations of visual information that can change, move, or respond to user interaction in real time, as opposed to traditional static tactile graphics which are fixed once produced. Dynam…
- Electromagnetic Actuation (EM Actuation)
- A method of producing physical movement using electromagnetic fields generated by electric coils. In accessibility contexts, electromagnetic actuation is used to move tactile elements — such as magnet…
- Embosser (Braille Embosser, Tactile Graphics Embosser)
- A device that creates raised (embossed) output on paper or other materials, used to produce braille text and tactile graphics for people who are blind or have low vision. Braille embossers function si…
- Force Feedback (Haptic Force Feedback, Kinesthetic Feedback)
- A type of haptic technology that applies physical forces to the user through a device such as a stylus, joystick, or glove, simulating the sensation of touching or interacting with virtual objects. Un…
- Multi-Fidelity Modeling (Multi-Fidelity Tactile Materials)
- A design strategy that provides tactile representations at multiple levels of detail and complexity to support layered learning and comprehension. In accessible museum and educational contexts, this m…
- Multimodal Map (Audio-Tactile Map, Interactive Tactile Map)
- A map that conveys spatial information through multiple sensory channels simultaneously, typically combining tactile elements with audio output and sometimes visual or haptic feedback. Multimodal maps…
- QR Code (Quick Response Code)
- A two-dimensional barcode that encodes information such as text, URLs, or other data in a square matrix of black and white modules. In accessibility contexts, QR codes serve as a bridge between physic…
- Shape Display (2.5D Shape Display, Pin Display, Tactile Shape Display)
- A physical computing device consisting of a grid of motorised pins that can be raised and lowered to create dynamic tactile relief surfaces. Shape displays render digital 3D content as physical topogr…
- Tactile Accuracy
- Tactile accuracy is an evaluation criterion for measuring how well a person perceives the shape information of an object in a tactile image through touch. Unlike "naming accuracy" (whether someone can…
- Tactile Art (Touch Art, Haptic Art)
- Pictures, illustrations, sculptures, and multimodal compositions that are created to be accessible through the sense of touch, either crafted intentionally for touch-focused experiences or made access…
- Tactile Exhibit (Touch Exhibit, Hands-On Exhibit, Tactile Display)
- A museum or gallery exhibit designed to be explored through touch rather than sight, allowing visitors to physically interact with objects, models, or replicas. Tactile exhibits are particularly impor…
- Tactile Fidelity
- The degree of detail and accuracy in a tactile representation compared to the real object or concept it represents. High-fidelity tactile models include fine details, textures, and proportional accura…
- Tactile Graphicacy (Tactile Literacy, Tactile Reading Skills)
- The learned ability to read, interpret, and create meaning from tactile images, maps, diagrams, and graphics through touch. Just as visual graphicacy is developed through exposure to visual images, ta…
- Tactile Icon (Tactile Symbol, 3D Icon, Raised Icon)
- A small raised or three-dimensional symbol placed on a tactile map or diagram that represents a real-world object, location, or concept through touch. Tactile icons can be abstract (geometric shapes r…
- Tactile Image (Tactile Graphic, Tactile Picture, Touch Image)
- A tactile image is a raised or textured representation of a visual image designed to be perceived through touch rather than sight. Tactile images can be produced through various methods including embo…
- Tactile Learning (Haptic Learning, Touch-Based Learning)
- An educational approach that uses the sense of touch to convey information, explore concepts, and develop understanding. For blind and low vision learners, tactile learning encompasses reading Braille…
- Tactile Literacy (Tactile Reading Skills)
- The ability to interpret, understand, and create information conveyed through the sense of touch, including the skills needed to read tactile graphics, maps, diagrams, braille, and other raised repres…
- Tactile Overlay (Touch Overlay, Tactile Screen Overlay)
- A physical sheet or frame placed on top of a touchscreen or flat surface that provides raised tactile landmarks, borders, buttons, and contextual information for users who are blind or have low vision…