Physical Items from the Exhibit

Advancing Accessibility: A Timeline features several physical items which are described below.

  • Perkins Brailler: Braille typewriters allowed braille materials to be produced more quickly and accurately. The first braille typewriter-like machine was invented in 1892 and the first official Perkins Brailler was produced in 1951.
  • Braille Map: This map of North America, from the Libraries’ map collection, is labeled in Braille. The raised topography on the map allows for additional accessibility for people who are blind, low-vision, and sighted.
  • Tactile Globe: This globe has raised outlines and textures to differentiate between land masses and bodies of water. It also includes a stylus that will speak the names of places aloud when they are touched.
  • Foot Mouse: A foot mouse allows users to move a cursor and click mouse buttons with their feet. The MSU Libraries’ Assistive Technology Center features a foot mouse, along with other assistive technologies.
  • Adaptive Gaming: Enables gamers of all abilities to customize and rig their controller layout to suit their unique needs.
  • White Cane: A white cane is used by those with visual disabilities to scan their physical surroundings for navigation, orientation marks, or obstacles. (courtesy MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities)
  • Smart Pens/Notebooks: Smart pens are used by students to easily digitize their notes, record lectures and play them back at their convenience. The recordings are synced with the notes so a student can hear and see what they wrote and what’s being said in a lecture.
  • Tactile RCPD logo: Tactile logo for MSU’s Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities - made from a 3D printer (courtesy MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities)
  • Tactile/Braille campus maps: These tactile/braille maps of MSU’s campus help blind and low vision students learn and navigate campus. (courtesy MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities)
  • 3D Models: Tactile, 3D models are especially helpful in science and math courses, like this Multivariable Calculus 3D model. (courtesy MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities)