Booking is now open for the first Tactile Universe public engagement event on Saturday 14th January 2017. This event will provide an opportunity for people with vision impairments to engage with the galaxy research carried out at the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation.

On Saturday January 14th 2017, the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation will run a free public event for its Tactile Universe Pilot. This event is part of a project which aims to make astronomy accessible to blind and vision impaired members of the community using 3D printed tactile images and models of astronomical objects as teaching tools. We are looking for interested blind and vision impaired people of all ages to attend the event and provide feedback. No prior knowledge of astronomy, physics or other space-related topics is required.

There will be four 1.5 hour sessions held during the day. Places are limited to five blind or vision impaired attendees per session, so that we can spend as much time with each of you as possible. We also encourage attendees to bring a maximum of four additional family members, friends, or relatives, so that you can all experience the activities together.

Sessions will run between 9:15  – 10:45,  11:15 – 12:45,  13:15 – 14:45, 15:15 – 16:45 at the Portsmouth Disability Forum’s Frank Sorrell Centre, Prince Albert Road , Southsea, Hampshire, PO4 9HR.

If you wish to attend, or want to know more about the activity day, please contact Tactile Universe project lead and blind astronomer Dr Nicolas Bonne at email nicolas.bonne@port.ac.uk, via phone on 02392 845158 during working hours or on mobile number 07541484755 after hours or on weekends and holidays. If you wish to attend the free event, we will need to know which session will suit you best, and we would also like to ask you about your level of vision, and what special requirements you may have for the day.

For more information about the Tactile Universe, click here to see our website, or click here to find us on twitter.