3D models help visually impaired students dive into history

The National Archives has always been dedicated to preserving and sharing our rich history with the public. Now, we are excited to announce the launch of a new workshop specifically designed for students who are blind and visually impaired. This workshop will utilize an innovative technique called optacartography, which transforms flat documents into 3D models, allowing students to experience history in a whole new way.

The workshop will feature three-dimensional versions of historic documents from our extensive collection, including a medieval map and a wage slip for Tudor courtier John Blanke. These models will be made using optacartography, a method that combines traditional cartography with modern technology to create tactile representations of documents. This allows students to explore and understand these documents through touch, rather than sight.

The use of optacartography in this workshop is a game-changer for students with visual impairments. This groundbreaking technique breaks down the barriers that have prevented these students from fully engaging with historic documents. It provides them with an opportunity to experience, first-hand, the tangible evidence of our past that has previously been inaccessible to them.

One of the highlights of this workshop is the medieval map, which has been specially selected from our collection to showcase the capabilities of optacartography. This map depicts Europe, the Middle East, and Northern Africa, and is an incredible representation of how people viewed the world in the 15th century. With optacartography, students can feel the physical features of the map, such as mountains and rivers, and even the intricate details of cities and landmarks.

In addition to the medieval map, the workshop will also include a 3D model of a wage slip from the 16th century. This document belongs to John Blanke, a black trumpeter who worked at the court of King Henry VII. It is a unique glimpse into the life of a person of color during the Tudor period and allows students to understand the everyday lives of people from different backgrounds in the past.

Our ultimate goal with this workshop is to promote inclusivity and accessibility in the study of history. By providing visually impaired students with an interactive and engaging experience, we hope to spark a passion for history and encourage them to further explore our records. After all, history belongs to everyone, and it is crucial that all individuals have equal access to it.

The National Archives has always been committed to making history accessible to all, and we are constantly exploring new ways to achieve this. Optacartography is just one of the many innovative techniques we are using to make this possible. We are excited to see students’ reactions to the workshop and are confident that it will provide a unique and invaluable learning experience for all participants.

We are also grateful for our partnership with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), who have provided invaluable support and expertise in the development of this workshop. Their commitment to promoting equal access for people with visual impairments has been instrumental in bringing this project to life.

The workshop will be available to schools and organizations starting from today, and we encourage all visually impaired students to take part in this one-of-a-kind experience. We hope that this new workshop will not only provide an enriching educational experience but also inspire a new generation of historians and researchers.

In conclusion, the National Archives’ launch of a new workshop using optacartography is a significant step towards making history more accessible and inclusive for all. Through this innovative technique, students who are blind and visually impaired can now experience and engage with historic documents in a way that was previously unimaginable. We are excited to see the impact this workshop will have on participants and look forward to expanding its reach in the future. History belongs to everyone, and we are committed to making sure that it is accessible to all.