Lauren Lee | March 3, 2025 - Atlanta, GA

“Tactile” describes something that is meant to be experienced through touch. Think of things like petting an animal, the haptic feedback from a video game controller, or a museum exhibit showing different textures of fabric. 

“Media,” in this context, means “a system of communication”. It is the way that information is communicated. For example: information can be conveyed through art, and the medium is the watercolor paint used to create the art. 

“Tactile media” is the way that information is conveyed through touch. It is especially important for people who have no or low vision, as touch is one of the main ways they interact with the world. 

One of the oldest, most formalized forms of tactile media is Braille. People who have low or no vision read Braille with their fingers, which makes Braille a “tactile media”. Alongside Braille, tactile graphics, raised-line drawings, and embossed illustrations are used to convey information to people with low or no vision. 

Studies suggest that those with low or no vision who have read braille since childhood report greater life satisfaction, self-esteem, and job satisfaction than those who did not. Both tactile media and Braille are essential to the education and independence of people with low or no vision. 

Launched in early 2025, the Tactile Media Alliance is a community dedicated to exploring the way tactile media can be used to communicate and help people learn. Their upcoming work will include making new ways to connect physical and digital experiences, designing educational resources for touch-based media, and building a library of knowledge on the different ways touch is used for learning. The CIDI Braille team is a proud member of the Tactile Media Alliance.