Beyond Sight: Strategies to Aid Blind and Visually Impaired People in Perceiving 2D Images

This paper presents a comprehensive overview of methodologies developed to support blind and visually impaired people (BVIP) in perceiving two-dimensional visual content through tactile representations. Over the past decade, the TIP group at the Department of Industrial Engineering of Florence has advanced both deterministic and AI-assisted techniques to generate tactile bas-reliefs from pictorial and technical images. The research spans various computerassisted methodologies for producing depth images or full 3D models of tactile supports. The research seeks to establish a codified language, its expression dictated by the ‘grammar’ of semi-automatic procedures that offer limited scope for a manual user’s free interpretation. Latest results achieved in the translation of abstract paintings are presented, including an effective pixel intensity-based approach for translating chromatic information into tactile depth. Applications include cultural heritage accessibility and inclusive technical education. Results demonstrate the growing viability of hybrid and AI-enhanced solutions to generate meaningful, perceivable tactile models, highlighting the importance of structured tactile languages and multimodal interfaces for improving accessibility.