The opening presentation for the "Comics Beyond Sight" exhibit was held on Friday, October 2nd, 1:00pm - 4:00pm. The exhibit demonstrates that comics can be made accessible for those who are blind or have low vision. using a variety of creative approaches to comics visual accessibility, and by extension visual accessibility broadly. Those approaches range from multimedia (audio and textual descriptions) through multidimensional and emerging technologies strategies (3D printing, haptics, and screen-based mobile touch interfaces). It demonstrates that comics can be made accessible. Learn about the international efforts of innovators in the realm of comics accessibility for those who are blind or have low vision, assembled by the Accessible Comics Collective at San Francisco State University (SFSU) with the expertise of blind access professionals.
Emily Beitiks and Nick Sousanis are co-presenters as well as co-creators of the exhibit.
Emily is an accessibility expert, the co-director for the San Francisco Disability Cultural Center, and prior to that, the director of the Longmore Institute on Disability.
Nick Sousanis (SFSU) is a Detroit native and was the first person to draw his dissertation in comics format, subsequently published as the graphic novel Unflattening.
Silvana Rainey leads Adaptive Technology Services and brings over 20 years of experience in assistive technology for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Moderators were Jenna Lepczyk and PF Anderson of the Taubman Health Sciences Library, M-Library.
This event was coordinated with the Ann Arbor District Library as part of the "Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival (A2CAF): Small + Indie Press," and is made possible by donors through the University Library Gift Fund Supporting Accessibility and Access.