Advancing Mathematics Education for Visually Impaired Students Through Geometry Tactile Diagrams


Authors : Dr. Sariat Ajibola, Adelakun; Aminat Obakhume Abdulsalaam; Dr. Evangeline Udonna, Chukuka; Dr. Michael Adeyinka Kehinde; Musbau Adeniyi Shittu

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 8 - August


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/5x8svr9n

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25aug413

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Abstract : Mathematics is heavily reliant on diagrams and spatial representations, which can be challenging for blind and visually impaired (BVI) students. This study examined the role of geometry tactile diagrams (GTD) in supporting BVI students' learning. Twenty blind students from the Mathematics unit at the Authors' College, selected from a general studies course, were randomly assigned to a treatment group using GTD or a control group with standard instruction. Results showed that students taught with GTD made significantly greater progress than the control group (ES = +0.97). Additionally, those with prior exposure to tactile graphics training demonstrated larger gains in pre- to post-test performance (ES = +0.99). These findings highlight GTD as an effective tool for teaching diagram-based subjects to BVI students, providing equal access to mathematics and science. The study suggests that implementing GTD could help bridge the educational gap between sighted and visually impaired students in mathematics.

Keywords : Geometry, Tactile Diagram (GTD); Blind and Visually Impaired Students, Visually Impaired Students, Sighted Students, STEM, Geometry Achievement (GAT).

References :

  1. Adelakun, S. A. (2020). Making mathematics and science accessible to the blind. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing.
  2. Adelakun, S. A. (2020). Exploring STEM Kit Diagrams for braille readers in inclusive classrooms.  Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities, 23(1) Article 10. DOI: 10.14448/jsesd.12.0014 Available at: https://scholarworks.rit.edu/jsesd/vol23/iss1/10
  3. Agrawal, S. (2004), Teaching mathematics to blind students through programmed learning strategies. Delhi: Abtriject Publication.
  4. Beal, C., & Shaw, E. (2008, March). Working memory and math problem solving by blind middle and high school students: Implications for universal access. In Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 5011-5016). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).
  5. Dahiya, R. S., & Valle, M. (2013). Robotic tactile sensing: technologies and system (Vol. 1). Dordrecht: Springer.
  6. Edman, P. K. (1992). Tactile Graphics. AFB Press
  7. Edward, J, (2002). Issues in Educating Students with Disabilities. Mahwah, N.J Erlbaum.
  8. Kurzweil, (1997). The Visually Handicapped Child in school. Great Britain: Redwood Burn Limited.
  9. Luo, S.; Bimbo, J.; Dahiya, R.; Liu, H. (2017) Robotic tactile perception of object properties: A review. Mechatronics, 48, 54–67.
  10. Mukhiddinov, M.; Kim, S.-Y. (2021) A Systematic Literature Review on the Automatic Creation of Tactile Graphics for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Processes 2021, 9, 1726. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9101726
  11. Rosenblum, L.P., Cheng, L., Zebehazy, K., Emerson, R. W., Beal, C. R. (2020) Teachers’ Descriptions of Mathematics Graphics for Students with Visual Impairments: A Preliminary Investigation. Journal of visual impairment and blindness 114(3) 231-236
  12. Sheppard, L. and Aldrich FK. (2001). Tactile graphics in school education: perspectives from teachers. British Journal of Visual Impairment19(3):93-97. doi:10.1177/026461960101900303
  13. Thevin, L.; Brock, A.M. Augmented reality for people with visual impairments: Designing and creating audio-tactile content from existing objects. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs, Linz, Austria, 11–13 July 2018; Springer: Cham, Switzerland, 2018; pp. 193–200
  14. World Health Organization. World Report on Vision; World Health Organization: Geneva, Switzerland, 2019; Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO; Available online: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241516570
  15. Wu, C. Yeh, I.; Tu, Y., Wu, H., Chang, C. (2022) Constituent Elements Affecting the Recognition of Tactile Graphics  Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness 116(2) 194-203
  16. Zebehazy, K. T., Wilton, A. P. (2014). Straight from the source: Perceptions of students with visual impairments about graphics use. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 108, 275–286.

Mathematics is heavily reliant on diagrams and spatial representations, which can be challenging for blind and visually impaired (BVI) students. This study examined the role of geometry tactile diagrams (GTD) in supporting BVI students' learning. Twenty blind students from the Mathematics unit at the Authors' College, selected from a general studies course, were randomly assigned to a treatment group using GTD or a control group with standard instruction. Results showed that students taught with GTD made significantly greater progress than the control group (ES = +0.97). Additionally, those with prior exposure to tactile graphics training demonstrated larger gains in pre- to post-test performance (ES = +0.99). These findings highlight GTD as an effective tool for teaching diagram-based subjects to BVI students, providing equal access to mathematics and science. The study suggests that implementing GTD could help bridge the educational gap between sighted and visually impaired students in mathematics.

Keywords : Geometry, Tactile Diagram (GTD); Blind and Visually Impaired Students, Visually Impaired Students, Sighted Students, STEM, Geometry Achievement (GAT).

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Paper Submission Last Date
30 - November - 2025

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