Below are links to options for non-visual drawing tools that allow blind people to independently draw. They are useful for maps, wireframes, logos, sketches, geometry, or for fun. The physical options will require you to take a picture if you want to digitize the image. The digital options require a level of comfort with using new tools.
Physical
- Wikki Stix (opens a new tab): They can go on any surface, but work well on raised-line graph paper (opens a new tab).
- Masonry wall Legos (Opens a new tab) on a large Lego baseplate (Opens a new tab). Use the bricks that are one dot wide to outline the map or image.
- BrailleDoodle (Opens a new tab): This is a tablet that allows drawing and erasing on a 43×31 dot tactile pin matrix. The user draws with a magnetic stylus and the pins stay in place with small balls on the end that stick in place. The pins can be easily felt and pushed down when desired.
- Sensational Blackboard (opens a new tab) is a rubber board that will raise lines when you draw on a normal piece of paper with a normal ballpoint pen or pencil. It’s difficult to erase though.
- Reizen Tactile Drawing Kit (Opens a new tab) is a rubber board that allows you to draw on plastic sheets with a provided stylus. It’s possible to erase with this.
- Picture Maker Wheatley Tactile Diagramming Kit (opens a new tab) is a felt board with small Velcro-like pieces that you can place on the board to make maps. This is specifically built for making maps.
Digital
- Blind SVG (Opens a new tab) is a site that teaches blind people how to create graphics on the computer using a text editor. Without an embosser it is difficult to view the images, but AI tools, like Be My AI can do really basic spot-checking.
- BrushTone (opens a new tab) is a paint tool that allows you to move by pixel using the arrow keys or mouse and draw using several different tools like a free-hand drawing tool, line creator, rectangle creator, and circle creator. You download the tool and unzip the file. Inside there’s the application file. If it doesn’t run, then on Windows 11, you need to open preferences, go to the Compatibility tab, select run in compatibility mode, and under the operating system box, choose Windows XP (Service Pack 3).
- Audiom (Opens a new tab) has a drawing tool coming soon!
Tips for Taking Photos of Tactile Graphics
- Always take three or more photos from different angles and distances.
- Make sure as much light as possible is showing. Open windows are best.
- Try to find a dark colored surface if your paper is white.
- You can use AI tools, Seeing AI (Opens a new tab), or visual interpreter services (like Be My Eyes (Opens a new tab)) to get contrast and positioning.
- Use an document scanning tool like Seeing AI (Opens a new tab) or Voice Dream Scanner (opens a new tab) to correctly position the paper and take the photo. You will want the image and not the text.
- If you have Meta Ray Bans or other smart glasses, you can point your glasses at the graphic and take a picture. You can ask the AI if the entire sheet is in the image. Most of the time photos with these glasses are really good.
Conclusion
It is very possible to draw as a blind person. If you have other tools or techniques that add additional value to this list, please contact us.
