Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Accessible Astronomy App and citizen science project (self.Blind)
submitted by communicationsmonkey
Hey folks,
I have been working with a team of software engineers to make an accessible astronomy app.
Why you ask, well our lead programmer is blind and he wanted an accessible astronomy app and there is none.
Though apparently just because one blind person is interested in science and astronomy it doesn't convince the people we have been pitching to that there is a need for it, apparently blind people just don't do science (insert eye roll here)
So I am working on this problem by asking a few questions.
What was your experience with learning science in high school?
Has anyone gone on to study science in university?
We have added a feature in the app where you can listen to the soundwaves to help the TESS program identify potential exoplanets, any exoplanets that are found the first person to find it gets their name attributed to it. Thoughts on this?
Is there anyone in Science that you look up to?
​
we were playing with wording on of the things suggested was: The universe just got an accessibility upgrade.
SO any comments welcome.
I have been working with a team of software engineers to make an accessible astronomy app.
Why you ask, well our lead programmer is blind and he wanted an accessible astronomy app and there is none.
Though apparently just because one blind person is interested in science and astronomy it doesn't convince the people we have been pitching to that there is a need for it, apparently blind people just don't do science (insert eye roll here)
So I am working on this problem by asking a few questions.
What was your experience with learning science in high school?
Has anyone gone on to study science in university?
We have added a feature in the app where you can listen to the soundwaves to help the TESS program identify potential exoplanets, any exoplanets that are found the first person to find it gets their name attributed to it. Thoughts on this?
Is there anyone in Science that you look up to?
​
we were playing with wording on of the things suggested was: The universe just got an accessibility upgrade.
SO any comments welcome.
ukifrit 3 points 4y ago
Science classes were mostly boring, since the teachers wouldn't believe I was able to learn stuff. I had big interest in astronomy and related areas but I could do nothing due to everything related to it, models, software and etc. being inaccessible.
communicationsmonkey [OP] 2 points 4y ago
thank you for sharing your experience
Nightfall90z 2 points 4y ago
Great idea! I’m really interested.
I love science and astronomy, and i am reading A Brief History Of Time at the moment.
I havn’t been blind my whole life, lost my vision at the age of 18.
I love science and astronomy, and i am reading A Brief History Of Time at the moment.
I havn’t been blind my whole life, lost my vision at the age of 18.
the9thpawn_ 2 points 4y ago
I’m currently in high school and have always been interested in astronomy + astrophysics. I have a telescope but I’ve found my nystagmus has made using it as well as microscopes really annoying and have started to gravitate to theoretical stuff. I’m currently interested in finding some camera to attach to telescopes/microscopes sort of like a cctv as it’d make bio and astro accessible for me.
I’ve found that my grades have always reflected my vision rather than my knowledge and I actually had to retake functions despite working through some of the material because I didn’t have the accommodations I needed. I’ve gotten most of the resources I need and have been working hard to raise my grades.
I’m currently exploring a the geometry of special relativity and it’s sooo beautiful.
This is really exciting. Like string theory or black hole image exciting.
I’ve found that my grades have always reflected my vision rather than my knowledge and I actually had to retake functions despite working through some of the material because I didn’t have the accommodations I needed. I’ve gotten most of the resources I need and have been working hard to raise my grades.
I’m currently exploring a the geometry of special relativity and it’s sooo beautiful.
This is really exciting. Like string theory or black hole image exciting.
communicationsmonkey [OP] 1 points 4y ago
KillerLag 2 points 4y ago
That sounds pretty cool! The only person I know who has vision loss and working with astronomy is Wanda Diaz-Merced.
communicationsmonkey [OP] 1 points 4y ago
yeah it is, we are turning the data from light waves into sound waves, so usually people would be looking at a light spectrum and when a planet passes over the light wave get blocked so the light waves changes, in sound waves there is a dip in the sound so we are setting it up so people can set markers at the dips and send them back to NASA to check them
Nightfall90z 1 points 4y ago
What’s the app called?
communicationsmonkey [OP] 2 points 4y ago
Astreos, its not in the app store yet though if you want to be on the beta test list you can sign up at $1
Nightfall90z 1 points 4y ago
I signed up but did not receive any email yet.
communicationsmonkey [OP] 2 points 4y ago
we released the new beta this week
https://testflight.apple.com/join/SHQFznkM
https://testflight.apple.com/join/SHQFznkM
Nightfall90z 1 points 4y ago
Downloaded it now. Thank you.
communicationsmonkey [OP] 1 points 4y ago
I'll follow up on it
Nightfall90z 1 points 4y ago
Thank yiu! Excited about this!
CloudsOfMagellan 1 points 4y ago
Is this Astreos?
communicationsmonkey [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Yes, we have been getting a generally positive response but trying to overcome the people who just don't seem to be able to wrap their brain around it, mostly people who have no interacting with the visually impaired or blind and have a preset lot of assumptions about them. I have been reading a lot of papers on STEM education for the visually impaired and blind. It seems as though it has only really been an area of research for the since around 2010 to make STEM accessible hopefully with 3D printing it will become more commonplace to at least make tactile models and things to allow classrooms tools to teach. But there seems to be an attitude of they can't do that.. which I have seen is not true I just want to gather other people experience so I can approach it with not just what limited experience I have working in with the team but from a variety of people so I am not just spouting bullshit.
If I am going to be talking to lectures and people in the science field about why inclusive STEM is important for the visually impaired and blind I want to do it accurately not just my limited interaction from the team at work and the couple of people I know cause I kinda feel like another asshole with a soapbox if I'm also working on my own assumptions and I want to put forward what is actually important.
If I am going to be talking to lectures and people in the science field about why inclusive STEM is important for the visually impaired and blind I want to do it accurately not just my limited interaction from the team at work and the couple of people I know cause I kinda feel like another asshole with a soapbox if I'm also working on my own assumptions and I want to put forward what is actually important.
CloudsOfMagellan 1 points 4y ago
I've tested the app and found it quite confusing, I don't really see what it offers that a quick google doesn't.
communicationsmonkey [OP] 1 points 4y ago
how long ago did you test it, the team has been working on it intensely the last few months and haven't released the updates to the beta testers.
the whole menu, and navigation system has been redone as we have had feedback on the navigation but also added a lot more information and interactivity.
the whole menu, and navigation system has been redone as we have had feedback on the navigation but also added a lot more information and interactivity.
CloudsOfMagellan 1 points 4y ago
It was a few months back though that'll explain why,
When will the next beta be released?
When will the next beta be released?
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