Art Education

From: http://www.aph.org/edresearch/tactile-book-contest 

Typhlo & Tactus Tactile Book Contest 2013

U.S. entries invited in international tactile book competition!

Typhlo & Tactus (T&T) is an organization that exists to improve the quality and quantity of tactile books (books with tactile illustrations) that are available to young children with visual impairments. As part of T&T’s efforts, the organization conducts a biennial tactile book competition. First held in 2000, the 2011 T&T competition included more than 350 entries from 16 countries.

In 2013, the American Printing House for the Blind has again agreed to be the U.S. national contact organization, publicizing the competition, directing participants to competition guidelines, and accepting and judging U.S. entries.

A panel of U.S. judges will review each entry sent to APH and select the top 5 tactile books to send overseas for final adjudication by an international panel of children and adults with visual impairments, as well as professionals in the field. There, a single winning entry will be chosen, along with ten shortlisted books. Selected books may be featured at the T&T website, appear in posters, or in promotional materials used by T&T.

If you reside in the U.S. or its outlying areas (American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands) this is your chance to send APH your tactile book, designed for children with visual impairments from birth to 12 years of age!

Start now! Entries must be received at APH by: July 15, 2013

• All entries must be accompanied by a completed U.S. entry form (.pdf).
• Please include a self-addressed envelope with your entry so that we can return your book to you after the competition has ended. All entries will be returned “free matter for the blind” unless you stamp the envelope and prepay postage for another form of delivery.
• Mail your entry to:
  American Printing House for the Blind
  1839 Frankfort Avenue • P.O. Box 6085
  Louisville, KY 40206-0085
  Attn: Jamie Beard, T&T book competition
  jbeard@aph.org

As an additional source of information regarding tactile books and the variety of techniques used to create them, you may download “Guide to Designing Tactile Illustrations for Children’s Books” from the APH website.

Entries may be based on an original story or may be an adaptation of a commercially-published children’s story. They may utilize a number of different types of tactile illustration, including cut and paste, thermoform, embossing, or sewn fabric. All books, however, must meet these main requirements:

• Be in a legible font (at least 16pt) AND in contracted or uncontracted braille.
• Use colors and contrasts that will stimulate children with low vision.
• Have a binding that allows the pages to open out flat.
• Have an engaging well-written text that can be translated into other languages. (Alphabet books, for example, are not suitable for translation).
• Have illustrations that could, if desired, be produced in quantity so that additional copies of the book can be made.
• Be safe for young children to use and not contain anything which could present a danger to a young child.

Note: Text books should not be entered in this competition.

Visit the T&T website for further information about entry requirements and to view past T&T winners!