That Big Guy at Purdue is Back!

 A year ago in March  I shared with you my excitement about some amazing news coming out of Purdue about a huge figure making history. Of course, you remember the engineer, Dave Schleppenbach, the CEO of Tactile Engineering. He is the one that headed up the team that created a new dynamic braille display called The Cadence. From the company’s website: 


The revolutionary Cadence tablet is the first tactile device able to display tactile graphics that move and change beneath your fingers. Experience a whole new way to access dynamic content and multi-line braille, including pop-up highlights and labels, graphs that update in real time, live camera feeds, and fast-paced entertainment apps.



This device will bring so many opportunities for braille readers to experience STEM activities with more agency and independence. As a teacher for the blind, especially interested in assistive technology, and with a background in science education this device is like a blocked shot against the opponent’s star player that will seal the game with 36 seconds remaining. 


The company has piloted the device for the previous year at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and are opening up sales to early adopters this year. They have partnered with Near Space Education for some events throughout the year at ISBVI.


For the big event on April 8, the solar eclipse, Tactile Engineering will be at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Near Space to allow anyone with blindness to experience the progression of the eclipse via touch on the Cadence device. They’ll also be launching some weather balloons for Nasa and hosting an interactive booth for participants. Sounds like they scored a triple double to me! 


Looks like a championship ring? 


Anyone can attend the event at the Speedway, but if you are a person with blindness and would like to participate you can register here. If you’re unable to attend in Indianapolis there are other locations with events listed on the Near Space Education website. 


As you look up next Monday with your protective eyewear, be assured that students will be experiencing the eclipse in multisensory ways that we’d only dreamed of a decade ago. Thanks to giants and their engineering slam dunk in West Lafayette. Boiler up!!

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