The Tactile Graphic Image Library (TGIL) is a free online resource that makes tactile graphics accessible to everyone. With over 2,500 images available for download, teachers, students, and transcribers can easily create standalone tactile graphics or enhance existing materials. Explore a variety of graphics, including maps, diagrams, graphs, and more!
Read our Blog Overcoming Information Poverty, One Tactile Graphic Image at a Time.
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While searching and downloading files from the TGIL is free, an account is required to access the website. Visit the TGIL website to register today. Don’t miss out on this valuable resource—sign up now and start exploring!
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We want to hear from you! Help us enrich the TGIL by requesting a needed graphic or sharing one you created. You will not only enhance the website but also support students in building tactile graphic literacy. Together, we can build a comprehensive resource that meets the needs of our community!
Request a tactile graphic be added to the TGIL
Before submitting a request to add a tactile graphic to the Tactile Graphic Image Library (TGIL), please first search the TGIL to ensure the graphic does not already exist. When reviewing requests, we consider the following:
- Duplication of effort: Is the graphic distinctly different from others already in the library?
- Educational Content: Is the requested graphic useful for educational purposes?
- Usability: Is the graphic useful to any user, generalizable, and not obscure?
Please use our Request form to suggest a new graphic for the TGIL.
How to donate a tactile graphic to the TGIL
If you would like to donate a tactile graphic, your first step should be to search the TGIL to make sure your submission is not a duplicate. Your submission will go through a review process where we will use the following criteria:
- Duplication: Is the graphic distinctly different from others already in the library? The goal is to have one really good tactile example for each subject or idea.
- Educational Content: Is the requested graphic useful for educational purposes?
- Accuracy: Is the information correct?
- UEB Braille Standards: Does the braille meet the relevant standards, like Unified English Braille?
- BANA Guidelines for Tactile Graphics: Does it follow the BANA guidelines and standards?
- Quality: Is the graphic clean, well-designed, and embossable?
- Usability: Is the graphic useful to any user, generalizable, and not obscure? Graphics that go with specific questions from tests or illustrations from tactile storybooks are generally out. Priority goes to graphics that have universal classroom applicability.
Send the graphic to tgfeedback@aph.org.
We review submissions on a first-come, first-served basis and try to get through them as quickly as our schedule allows. Once your submission is approved, it will be uploaded to the TGIL. We’ll then let you know that it’s been accepted.
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TGIL graphic files can be viewed on the Monarch, APH’s 10-line by 32-cell refreshable braille display, without having to log-in to a TGIL account.
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Our tactile graphic designers have put together several best practices documents to outline the most efficient methods of creating and editing tactile graphic templates for use with the Monarch.
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The American Printing House for the Blind makes the materials available in the Tactile Graphic Image Library (TGIL) available free of charge for use in the production of embossed, or digitally accessed, tactile graphics for use by persons who are blind or visually impaired. In registering for the TGIL or accessing is content, you agree to use an downloaded materials only on behalf of “eligible persons” under copyright law. For questions, please contact us at tgfeedback@aph.org
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