About these guidelines
3D printing is an affordable consumer-level technology that can be used to create tactile models that are more inclusive, engaging and easier to understand through touch. 3D printing can also be used to create bespoke adaptive equipment and learning tools. The Guidelines for Producing Accessible 3D Prints are a brand new set of guidelines covering all aspects of why, when and how to use 3D printing to create accessible and inclusive 3D models for use by people who are blind or have low vision.
These guidelines are the result of an Australian Research Council Linkage Project (LP170100026) led by Monash University in partnership with Round Table, Department of Education Victoria, Guide Dogs Victoria, NextSense and SeeDifferently. Financial support was also provided by the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment, VisAbility and Blind Low Vision New Zealand
The guidelines are available to download in various formats from the Round Table’s OneDrive account: Producing Accessible 3D Prints (link opens in a new tab)
Acknowledgement
This published version of the guidelines was prepared by a small working group of experts in accessible format production:
- Leona Holloway (Monash University)
- Debra Lewis (Statewide Vision Resource Centre, Department of Education Victoria)
- Debra Murphy (Vision Australia)
- Yin Yin Htay (Blind & Low Vision Education Network, New Zealand).
Thanks are extended to members of the Australia and New Zealand Accessible Graphics Group (ANZAGG) 3D Printing Group for their many contributions to the guidelines in the form of ideas, expert knowledge, writing, example images and editing.
Special thanks to Jim Allan (Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired), Sam Boswell and Nikhil D’Souza (NextSense), Sarah Hayman (Statewide Vision Resource Centre), Ka Li (National Network for Equitable Library Service), Ian Matty (Mountain Lakes Public Library), and Navrakan Virdi (Braille and Large Print Services, NSW Department of Education).
We also extend our thanks to the Vision Australia Transcription team for producing
the accessible versions.