A complex system has evolved among sighted people for communicating
through graphical representations. This communication requires a
written language that includes many intuitive symbols and
techniques. The symbols used in architectural drawings are
distinct from those required for schematic electronic circuits.
Sketches of biological organs rely on techniques that differ from
either electronics or architecture. So, I posit, with customary
confidence, that each division of science and school of art has its
own graphical dialect while sharing many techniques.
Many years ago, my brother gave me a glimpse of three-dimensional,
or perspective, drawing. With just a few raised lines, made with
a spur wheel, he illustrated the view of our house as it was
approached from some distance down the street. All of the front of
the house, part of the roof and near side were drawn. With eureka
delight I examined the skewed lines that represented the plumb
doors, windows, gutters, roof edges and other details. The front
door of my house, which I knew would be represented by lines
intersecting at 90 degrees when viewed straight-on, were slanted a
bit to show that the door was being viewed at an angle. So, too
were all of the other lines slanted to equate with an image on the
retina of the eye of an observer down the street from the house.
For years I believed that I could glean some 3d grasp of my
brothers drawing because I had enjoyed some useful vision till age
nine. Then I talked about this matter with Dr. Nemeth and learned
that his skills of visualization far exceed mine even though he was
congenitally blind.
I haven't a clue to how Abe achieved his phenomenal ability to
think in visual terms--although I am certain that he doesn't have
visual memory as I know it. Abe will argue this last point with
me.
The posit and personal anecdotes above lead me to believe that it
is worth our effort to increase our understanding of visual and
haptic imagery to the extent that this knowledge could serve as the
foundation for developing a set of symbols and techniques for
producing tactile graphics. This begs the question:
Is it possible to convey haptic images through schematic tactile
drawings based in common experiences shared by blind people?
I do not intend to suggest that tactile graphics could ever
stimulate visual imagery. It would be quite enough if we can find
the key to stimulate haptic memories and concepts through a
symbolic tactile representation. To put it plainly, can we ever
learn to recall the two-handed perception of a sphere upon a
stimulus of a tactile symbol?
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