Description
Developing Essential Skills for Tactile Graphics
The Skills for Tactile Graphics Programme provides a structured pathway to help children and young people with vision impairment develop the skills needed to interpret and understand tactile graphics. Covering tactile pictures, diagrams, maps and graphs, the programme supports learners as they progress towards confidently accessing symbolic tactile representations.
Designed for Teachers of Vision Impaired Children and other professionals supporting children with vision impairment, the programme includes practical activities, measurable goals, observation points and assessment opportunities to support skill development and progress monitoring.
Why Choose the Skills for Tactile Graphics Programme?
- Structured progression through tactile graphics development
- Supports access to tactile pictures, diagrams, maps and graphs
- Includes practical activities using everyday resources
- Clear goals and observation points for each skill area
- Supports assessment, target setting and progress monitoring
- Adaptable session plans for individual learners
- Suitable for children developing pre-Braille and Braille skills
The programme provides practitioners with a clear framework for teaching tactile graphics skills while allowing flexibility to meet individual learning needs.
What Are Tactile Graphics?
Tactile graphics are raised images that can be explored through touch. They provide access to important visual information such as diagrams, maps, graphs, illustrations and other non-text-based content.
Learning to interpret tactile graphics is a vital skill for children and young people with vision impairment, helping them access the curriculum, develop independence and engage more fully with learning opportunities.
Supporting the Development of Tactile Graphics Skills
The programme introduces learners to a carefully structured hierarchy of skill development, enabling them to build understanding step by step.
Developing Conceptual Understanding
Learners progress through:
- Understanding real-life concepts
- Handling and exploring real objects
- Working with models and representations
- Understanding two-dimensional representations
- Interpreting symbolic representations
Developing Core Tactile Skills
Alongside conceptual understanding, children develop:
- Tactile discrimination skills
- Fine motor skills
- Touch exploration techniques
- Object recognition skills
- Tactile interpretation skills
These essential foundations help prepare children to access tactile imagery confidently and successfully.
What’s Included?
The Skills for Tactile Graphics Programme includes:
- Structured goals for each stage of learning
- Detailed activity suggestions
- Resource recommendations
- Observation points for assessment
- Adaptable session plans
- Fine motor skills checklists
- Tactile discrimination skills checklists
- Progress monitoring opportunities
Activities are based on everyday experiences and utilise resources that are readily available in school, early years and home environments.
Benefits of the Skills for Tactile Graphics Programme
The programme enables practitioners to:
- Assess tactile graphics readiness
- Set personalised targets
- Monitor and evaluate progress
- Develop tactile discrimination skills
- Strengthen fine motor control
- Improve curriculum access
- Support progression towards Braille and tactile learning
By providing a clear progression pathway, the programme helps children build the foundations required to access increasingly complex tactile information.
What Practitioners Say About the Skills for Tactile Graphics Programme
“Lots of great ideas and resources to include in a child’s curriculum. The activities are easy to adapt and can be tailored to meet the needs of individual learners.”
“Fantastic resources, practical activities and simple assessment systems that will support literacy, numeracy, concept development and Braille learning.”
“The ideas are adaptable, motivating and easy to implement. I feel more confident planning support and developing tactile and Braille skills with children and young people.”
Feedback from Teachers of Vision Impaired Children, Teaching Assistants and Specialist Practitioners
Ideal For
- Teachers of Vision Impaired Children (QTVIs)
- Specialist support staff
- Teaching assistants
- Early years practitioners
- Families supporting tactile development at home
- Children developing pre-Braille and Braille skills
Related Positive Eye Resources
- Braille and Tactile Learner Course
- Marvin’s Market Adventure
- Marvin’s Seaside Adventure
- Early Maths for Children with SEND and Vision Impairment Course
Ready to Develop Skills for Tactile Graphics?
Help children and young people build the tactile discrimination, fine motor and interpretation skills needed to access tactile graphics with confidence.
Purchase the Skills for Tactile Graphics Programme today and support successful access to tactile learning, Braille development and the wider curriculum.
