« John D. Kemp Esq.: Pursuing Progress through Knowledge, Experience, Vision, Personality and Persistence | Main | New York City Employment & Training Coalition Workforce Policy Forum »

October 30, 2007

2007 Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation Winners

Cover of the book, shows a 19th-century engraving of a boy leading a blind man with a cane. Four years ago, when the Gibney Family Foundation stepped up to the plate to fund "Louis Braille: A Touch of Genius," Frank Gibney stipulated that support for the book was only half of the offering. The other half was support for a $20,000 prize which would be awarded by National Braille Press each year, to encourage and reward individual innovation, reflecting back on Louis Braille's accomplishments. This year, for the first time, National Braille Press, in partnership with The Gibney Family Foundation, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2007 Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation: Karen Gourgey and Steven Landau for the Talking Tactile Tablet.

The Talking Tactile Tablet (TTT) is an inexpensive and simple computer peripheral device that acts as a viewer for tactile diagrams, maps, and illustrations. Users place one of many overlay sheets on the TTT device and explore a graphic using touch sense and/or vision. Dr. Gourgey and Mr. Landau have created a library of software programs for the Talking Tactile Table system, all promoting tactile literacy.

Dr. Karen Gourgey is Director of the Computer Center for Visually Impaired People (CCVIP) at Baruch College, City University, in New York City, and Steven Landau is Director of Research at Touch Graphics, Inc., also in New York City.

More information on the 2008 Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation, will be online in January.

Posted by Nancy at October 30, 2007 01:44 PM

Comments