Guide
Creating customized raised line grids
Recently, several educators have asked how to create raised line grids for math, coding, tables, and other grid activities for students who are blind or low vision.
Available raised line grids
APH has several consumable options, including embossed graph sheets with 1″ squares, .75 inch squares and .5 inch squares. APH also has kits with tactile grids such as MathBuilders, Hundreds Board, etc.
But what if you need raised line grids with different number of rows and columns or squares of varying sizes? How can you create customized raised line grids quickly?
Creating customized raised line grids
Many embossers have options for creating customized raised line grids.
If you have access to a tactile graphics machine (PIAF or Swell machine), creating customized raised line grids is quick and easy using your favorite word document application. In this example, we will use Microsoft Word; however, Google Docs and Apple’s Pages have similar features.
- Open a new Word document.
- In the ribbon, select Insert.
- Select Table.
- Drag your cursor over the desired number of rows and columns.
- To make the grid lines thicker:
- Highlight the entire table.
- Select the Format Tab (at the top of the page)
- Select Borders and Shading
- In the popup, select All.
- Select the desired width of the grid lines.
- In the “Apply to” box, select Table.
- Select OK.
Image 1: Annotated screenshot showing the steps to customizing the width of grid lines in Word.
Resources: Activities with tactile grids
Paths to Technology has many posts that include activities with grids. Below are some examples. Keep in mind that students need to build a foundation with tactile grids, and tactile grids paired with digital grids, before transitioning to only digital grids.
- Ballyland sound memory game: matching and math grids
- Digital transitions #2: Math grid activities
- Introducing accessible digital grid and table
- Alligator Crunch: Missing number (grid and hundreds board)
- Coding concepts #3: Snowy Day (book and grid activities)
- Teaching the CodeQuest app to students who are visually impaired (coding concept game that uses grids)
- Blindfold Sea Battle: Accessible iOS battleship game that reinforces grid concepts
