Example of a tactile graphic and the image of tactile reading
The Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies (IPNS) has been dedicated to the braille book project since spring 2022. Our goal is to share the our research on the origins of the universe and matter with a broader audience, including the visually impaired, and to foster a deeper understanding of physics.
For braille translation and the creation of tactile graphics, we collaborated with professors from the Research and Support Center for Higher Education for People with Disabilities(R&S Center), at the National University Corporation Tsukuba University of Technology (NTUT).
Volunteer researchers from IPNS carefully wrote the manuscripts , focusing on clarity for visually impaired readers. Early on, several visually impaired people reviewed the drafts. We also had many discussions with professors from the NTUT to develop easy-to-understand tactile graphics.
The original book, entitled “The Origins of the Universe and Matter:Understanding the Invisible World” was published by KODANSHA Blue Backs Series on March 21, 2024. To spark your interest in this book, we have created a “Table of Contents and Overview” page. Please access it via the following link:
Table of Contents and Overview
The braille book translates the text and converts the figures into 36 tactile graphics. The PDF files can be printed using products that support printing tactile graphics for visually impaired people, such as tactile image printers and 3D copy machines.
The braille Version Zip File:
The tactile graphics Zip File:
Electronic files of the braille and the tactile graphics versions are available for free to visually impaired people and anyone interested. The braille version zip file contains the text portion of the original book in BES format. Each file corresponds to a section such as “Preface, Index, List of Contributors,” and chapters 1 through 10. BES files can be used with compatible the braille display devices and the braille editing software.
This page will also notify you on the errata that have come to light after publication.
As of July 29th, 2024, 27 items have been identified as errata. We apologize for the errors and report them here.
Items (1) through (19) in the errata have been corrected in the third edition of the Blue Backs book, and the corrections have also been made in the braille and tactile versions currently available from the Tsukuba University of Technology repository and KEK one.
Items (20) through (27) in the errata have also been corrected in the fifth edition of the Blue Backs book, and the corrections have been made in the braille version available both from the Tsukuba University of Technology repository and KEK one.
The royalties from the Blue Backs book received by the authors will be entirely donated to KEK for the dissemination of the braille version.
Aug. 23rd, 2024,
The braille- book Project Editorial Committee
IPNS, KEK
ページの先頭へ