Blind and low vision challenges, hiking solo
Traveling someplace new can be an exhilarating and empowering adventure when blind or visually impaired. What about next level crazy things to do when partially sighted? Check out our new article on hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park solo.
“Traveling, without sight, is an extraordinary journey of exploration. In the quiet footsteps and whispered winds, you discover a world painted in sensations—the warmth of sun-kissed stones, the rhythm of bustling streets, and the symphony of unfamiliar voices. Each tactile map, each shared laughter, becomes a constellation of memories etched upon your soul. In the vastness of the unknown, you find not darkness, but a canvas waiting for your touch—a masterpiece woven from courage, resilience, and the sheer wonder of exploration.” – Ted Tahquechi
About the author
Ted Tahquechi is a blind photographer, travel influencer, disability advocate and photo educator based in Denver, Colorado. You can see more of Ted’s work at www.tahquechi.com
Ted operates Blind Travels, a travel blog designed specifically to empower blind and visually impaired travelers. https://www.blindtravels.com/
Ted’s body-positive Landscapes of the Body project has been shown all over the world, learn more about this intriguing collection of photographic work at: https://www.bodyscapes.photography/
Questions or comments? Feel free to email Ted at: nedskee@tahquechi.com
Instagram: @nedskee
Twitter: @nedskee
We have launched our accessible art project
Over the fourth of July week, my wife Carrie and I were in Orlando at the National Federation of the Blind national convention. This is the largest gathering of blind and vision impaired people in the United States, and we could not think of a better place to debut the tactile photography project we have been focused on since the beginning of 2024. This exhibition was the culmination of more than ten years of working on the Landscapes of the Body project and marks the first time we have been able to show the work in its fully accessible format. Each image was accompanied by a tactile rendering, braille labels and a tactile QR code that gives an audio description of the original photograph and presents the viewer with a tour of the tactile features found in the touchable version of the image.
Over the days the work was on display, we had the privilege to speak with many hundreds of convention attendees both sighted and not. Each person had a different approach to experiencing the artwork, some wanted interaction with Carrie or I, asking us to describe the original photo and then walk them through the tactile landscape of the touchable rendering, while others brought out their smartphones and scanned the QR code, taking the self-guided tour through the features in the tactile prints. For those viewers with some sight, the tactile prints were created in high contrast white on black, and all viewers loved the QR codes with audio descriptions.
We could not have been happier with the reception we received from the convention attendees and the overwhelmingly positive feedback on the process we have created. We set out to bridge the gap between pixels and touch, and it feels like we succeeded. We will continue to refine the process and continue to squeeze every bit of detail we can out of an image.
To those who stopped by and checked out our work in Orlando, thank you. If you would like to feel what we have done, the next chance to catch our project will be for its first public debut at the Shine Music Festival in Denver on August 24th. You can find lots more information about the Shine Music Festival here.
This project would not have become a reality if not for our amazing partners. Many thanks go out to The Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Art @Warholfdn, Redline Contemporary Art Center of Denver @RedlineArt #RedlineDenver, HueForge @hueforge and West3d @West3dPrinting for all of their support in making visual art accessible for those who cannot see it.
We envision this technology being a part of every installation that features visual art. What if someone who is blind or visually impaired could experience visual art at the same time as everyone else can, rather than having to schedule a tactile specific showing of works on display. What if accessibility to visual art for those who cannot see it became part of the exhibition process rather than an afterthought. We have developed the technology and have it in hand now. Printing tactile versions of the piece on display is not a work intensive or cost prohibitive consideration. it just needs to be implemented.
“Traveling, without sight, is an extraordinary journey of exploration. In the quiet footsteps and whispered winds, you discover a world painted in sensations—the warmth of sun-kissed stones, the rhythm of bustling streets, and the symphony of unfamiliar voices. Each tactile map, each shared laughter, becomes a constellation of memories etched upon your soul. In the vastness of the unknown, you find not darkness, but a canvas waiting for your touch—a masterpiece woven from courage, resilience, and the sheer wonder of exploration.” – Ted Tahquechi
About the author
Ted Tahquechi is a blind photographer, travel influencer, disability advocate and photo educator based in Denver, Colorado. You can see more of Ted’s work at www.tahquechi.com
Ted operates Blind Travels, a travel blog designed specifically to empower blind and visually impaired travelers. https://www.blindtravels.com/
Ted’s body-positive Landscapes of the Body project has been shown all over the world, learn more about this intriguing collection of photographic work at: https://www.bodyscapes.photography/
Questions or comments? Feel free to email Ted at: nedskee@tahquechi.com
Instagram: @nedskee
Twitter: @nedskee
Debuting accessible art
Over the last six months, we have developed a process which can take a photo and extract the texture into a multilayered file that can be printed on any 3d printer. What this means is that using this process, we can take a piece of art (or photograph) and create a touchable (tactile) rendering, allowing those who have limited or no sight to experience visual art through touch. All of this would not have been possible without the support from Redline Contemporary Art Center of Denver, and The Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Art. They believed in us, and they wanted us to set the stage for a new paradigm in accessible visual art, and we can’t thank them enough.
Since the beginning of the year, we have experienced a lot of highs and lows creating this new technique. To those around us who supported us and kept our spirits high, we thank you. We created new photos for the project too! To those who took the time and came to model for us, we thank you (the project is anonymous, so we won’t name names of course… you know who you are). Last but certainly not least, a big thank you to the members of the Boulder chapter of The National Federation of the Blind (my home chapter) for their help in refining this process and making it what it is.
Tomorrow, Carrie and I head out to Florida to debut our Landscapes of the Body multisensorial project at the National Federation of the Blind national conference in Orlando. We are so excited to finally be able to share this work, it will be available in the art room July 3 and 4th from 1-6pm.
If you are in Colorado, the public debut of this work will be at the Shine Music Festival on August 24th.
Now, I’m off to jump on a plane and give my poor 3d printer a break for a week. Stay tuned for info on our next great adventure in August!
“Traveling, without sight, is an extraordinary journey of exploration. In the quiet footsteps and whispered winds, you discover a world painted in sensations—the warmth of sun-kissed stones, the rhythm of bustling streets, and the symphony of unfamiliar voices. Each tactile map, each shared laughter, becomes a constellation of memories etched upon your soul. In the vastness of the unknown, you find not darkness, but a canvas waiting for your touch—a masterpiece woven from courage, resilience, and the sheer wonder of exploration.” – Ted Tahquechi
About the author
Ted Tahquechi is a blind photographer, travel influencer, disability advocate and photo educator based in Denver, Colorado. You can see more of Ted’s work at www.tahquechi.com
Ted operates Blind Travels, a travel blog designed specifically to empower blind and visually impaired travelers. https://www.blindtravels.com/
Ted’s body-positive Landscapes of the Body project has been shown all over the world, learn more about this intriguing collection of photographic work at: https://www.bodyscapes.photography/
Questions or comments? Feel free to email Ted at: nedskee@tahquechi.com
Instagram: @nedskee
Twitter: @nedskee
Talking about making art accessible
Embassy Suites Burlingame Ca. an accessible review
Big update on our tactile art project!
May 29th Our journey so far
Late last year, Redline Contemporary Art Center of Denver @RedLineDenver and the Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Art @warholfdn entrusted us with a daunting task – to bridge the gap between visual art and the visually impaired. Whether it be paint, photography, or sculpture, art is a powerful means of expression that transcends language and culture. Art is a gateway to emotions, thoughts, and ideas, making it a universal language. Yet, for the blind and visually impaired, this gateway has been historically locked because visual art inherently lacks accessibility, depriving those who lack vision the profound experiences that art can offer. Inspired by the history of our benefactor for our partnership, Andy Warhol, we set out to create a path toward accessibility in visual art and develop a method that can take an image and make it touchable.
Our inspiration
For many, the first thing that comes to mind when you mention Andy Warhol is his Campbell’s Soup can image, but there was so much more to his process when it came to art. Andy Warhol’s Factory was a groundbreaking studio where he redefined the concept of artistic production. In the 1960s, Warhol abandoned traditional painting and embraced modern image reproduction techniques such as silk screen printing, photography, cinema, and sound. The Factory became a hub for creativity, experimentation, and celebrity culture. Warhol’s fascination with mechanized art production led him to employ studio assistants, allowing him to increase the commercial productivity of his art. Through iconic works like his Campbell’s Soup Cans and appropriation of consumer culture imagery, Warhol left an indelible mark on the art world.
The traditional approach
Until recently, art geared toward those who are blind and visually impaired was primarily sculpture and tactile painting, where layers of paint are built up to create an embossed touchable piece. Advancements in tactile displays have come a long way, but many have around 2400 retractable pins giving the user a 60 by 40 array, which is great for braille and simple graphics, but lacks the tactile fidelity to reproduce fine art or landscape imagery. Early iterations of our tactile prints utilized a method of layering inkjet printer ink onto a metal plate creating a simple embossed effect. We wanted more and needed to take the accessibility of visual art to the next level – enter 3d printers.
Creating our own factory
Andy Warhol was passionate about making art accessible to a wider audience. His approach challenged traditional notions of art and beauty. While in college completing a degree in Studio Art Photography, both my wife Carrie and I were drawn to the work of Mr. Warhol, and his democratic conviction that “art should be for everyone”, which drove his innovative approach to creativity. Our Landscapes of the Body collection is an abstract approach to visions of the human form, featuring models ranging in age from 19 to 76, with a variety of ethnicities, physical abilities, body types, and genders represented in its images. Our goal with the work is to show beauty in every body, not just those that fit the social or media driven definition of beauty. Accessibility was also a driving factor in the creation of this work. We started in 2014 with embossing, metal etching and printmaking, then moved to the tactile inkjet prints. With the advent of cheaper and more capable 3d printers, it was time to explore how these printers could take tactile art to the next level. With the support of Redline Contemporary Art Center of Denver and The Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Art, we purchased a 3d printer and threw our first print at it – and created… a mess.
The process
Any art medium takes time to learn. If you are painting for example, you need to learn how to mix paints and how to master the process of applying paint to canvas. 3d printing is no different. Learning to contend with temperature requirements for different filaments and acclimate ourselves to the intricacies of the printing process, we printed every gadget, cable holder and anime statue we could find. We learned early on that throwing an image into the program which translates data into the code that will tell the printer how to create the piece, called a slicer, yielded a result that was like static on a television screen. The printed result was undefined, and lacking focus in the subject. We knew that starting from scratch was the only way to solve the problem. The only thing standing in our way was that I was the only one in the house who was proficient with Photoshop, and I am almost completely blind.
2024
In early January, Carrie and I sat down at my desk, and began what would end up being a two month, 14 plus hour a day journey into frustration to create something that had not been done before. Carrie ran the program – because accessibility in Photoshop is abysmal even with screen readers. I knew Photoshop inside and out from my years working in the videogames industry for Atari, Accolade and Mattel Toys, and I just had to talk her through the process. On April 1 (oh the irony of April Fool’s Day.), we completed our first successful print. Over the two-month period of developing the process, we created methods to extract the texture from a 2d image, and place that texture into distinct layers in the composition. Allowing us to effectively push and pull attributes of the image further up or down in the composition. We took the same approach to creating tactile prints as a fine art photographer does when manipulating parts of a photograph to lead the viewers eye through the piece.
Finding our way
In the weeks since creating and refining the process to print these tactile prints, we have learned a lot about what kinds of images work best with tactile art. We have taken what we have learned and applied that to creating new work for our Landscapes of the Body project. We are approaching the creation of new work with an eye toward this accessible process, it feels great to have the development of “how” to make the tactile prints for this project behind us and we are well underway with the process of creating new work that will take full advantage of the process we have developed.
Exhibiting the images
We are extremely excited to announce that this summer, there will be a few opportunities to see our work in person and feel it for yourself. We are taking a multisensorial approach to exhibiting this collection. At the showings, the traditionally framed prints, will be accompanied by the tactile (touchable) renditions of the pieces and a scannable tactile QR code will load a full audio description of the tactile piece onto any smartphone. The audio description will describe how the image looks, as well as walking the viewer through the tactile version of the image.
Where can you see it?
Landscapes of the Body: Beyond the Frame, A Multi-Sensory Experience of Abstract Photography will make its debut in Florida at the National Federation of the Blind National Convention over the fourth of July weekend.
July 3-7th National Federation of the Blind Convention:
Rosen Centre 9840 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention
August 24th, the collection will make its Colorado debut and will be shown at the Shine Music Festival, an accessible music festival in Denver.
Shine Music Festival
REELWORKS, Denver
https://www.shinemusicfestival.com/
October 25-27th Colorado National Federation of the Blind Colorado state convention
NFB OF COLORADO STATE CONVENTION (more info coming soon)
More shows to be announced soon! If you would like to discuss showing the work at your establishment, please feel free to contact me at nedskee@tahquechi.com
An eye toward the future
In recent years, a quiet revolution has been taking place, one that seeks to dismantle barriers and make art accessible to everyone, regardless of their visual abilities. In most museums and galleries, accessible art exhibits are commonly by appointment only. We look forward to a future where art is accessible for every piece, rather than selected pieces only. This would mean accessible tactile prints accompanying every piece of exhibited art, making art enjoyable for everyone.
Final thoughts
Having the opportunity to work with these two amazing organizations is a bit of a full circle moment for us on our art journey. We are extremely excited to share the results we have achieved thus far, and hope that this work can serve as a template for accessible art in the future. If you find yourself near one of the upcoming exhibitions, I invite you to come see the work and meet us.
Flight for Sight and a giveaway
A few weeks ago, we announced that Blind Travels was one of the three teams chosen to receive the Flight for Sight 2024 Travel Grant. Since that time, we have been planning and strategizing about where we will head on our first trip. The plan was always to go somewhere on the East Coast, somewhere on the West Coast and to some destination in the middle of the United States to take photos of beautiful locations and create tactile accessible prints. We asked you – our readers to chime in and tell us where we should go and what iconic locations you would like to experience in touch.
This week, we’re headed to California for the West Coast leg of our trip! Thanks to your requests, we’re kicking things off in San Francisco, where we’ll be snapping photos of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and exploring the lively Fisherman’s Wharf.
Next stop: Santa Cruz! Natural Bridges State Beach’s stunning arch awaits our cameras. Continuing down the coast, we’ll soak in the rich history of Cannery Row in Monterey, inspired by John Steinbeck’s novels. And no Monterey trip is complete without a scenic drive along the legendary 17-Mile Drive, where breathtaking coastal views are guaranteed.
But that’s not all! We’ll be catching a flight to Southern California for a very special event, which we’ll reveal later this week. Stay tuned!
California is our first destination, but we’re also planning an amazing visit to the middle of the country. Two frontrunners are Yellowstone and Arches National Parks. Deciding is tough! Share your thoughts on our contact page or social media (links below).
After capturing stunning photos of these places, we’ll turn them into unique, touchable experiences using 3D printing. This method, developed in partnership with The Andy Warhol Foundation and Redline Contemporary Art Center of Denver, allows us to transform any image into accessible art.
But that’s not all, we have another big announcement! The exhibition for our tactile prints will not be until the fall, but we are making it so one lucky person will win one of the limited run first edition prints from this new project. The winner will receive a signed traditional print, a tactile print and a tactile QR code that will give an audio description of the print. We will even include a wall hanger frame for the tactile print so you can display all three. What do you have to do to be one of the first to receive one of these cool prints? All you have to do is follow us @nedskee and Flight for Sight @flightforsight on Instagram and leave us a message telling us you would like to be entered to win the signed print.
While you are there, feel free to drop us a message letting us know where you would like to see us go in the central part of the United States, we will be deciding soon and would love your input! Thanks for reading our update and follow along with us on this amazing adventure all summer long on our quest to make visual art more accessible for the blind and visually impaired.
Big changes coming to IOS
If you are an iPhone user like me, I always wonder what fresh pain awaits those of us with little or no sight when it comes to a major update for the IOS. I have used Apple stuff since the iPhone 2 and the worst part is making changes to the interface just for the sake of change. This is of course a common thing for companies to do, not realizing that those of us who can’t see have memorized the location of every button on the interface. The concern is always new stuff first, then add accessibility later. I will point out the most blatant thing that comes to mind: when Apple changed the location of the power off slider from the middle of the screen to the top and put in the SOS feature when powering off the phone. Even to this day I recently called 911 when I was not paying attention and was resetting my phone. I’m totally not opposed to Ai, as a matter of fact I have fully embraced the use of Ai since it saves me so much time every day. I’m just always nervous when a company announces big redesign in a major number release. I believe that keeping up to speed on the latest tech is important for travelers especially those with low or no vision. I’ll be reporting on the update when it goes live and try to help you all through any new issues.
“Traveling, without sight, is an extraordinary journey of exploration. In the quiet footsteps and whispered winds, you discover a world painted in sensations—the warmth of sun-kissed stones, the rhythm of bustling streets, and the symphony of unfamiliar voices. Each tactile map, each shared laughter, becomes a constellation of memories etched upon your soul. In the vastness of the unknown, you find not darkness, but a canvas waiting for your touch—a masterpiece woven from courage, resilience, and the sheer wonder of exploration.” – Ted Tahquechi
About the author
Ted Tahquechi is a blind photographer, travel influencer, disability advocate and photo educator based in Denver, Colorado. You can see more of Ted’s work at www.tahquechi.com
Ted operates Blind Travels, a travel blog designed specifically to empower blind and visually impaired travelers. https://www.blindtravels.com/
Ted’s body-positive Landscapes of the Body project has been shown all over the world, learn more about this intriguing collection of photographic work at: https://www.bodyscapes.photography/
Questions or comments? Feel free to email Ted at: nedskee@tahquechi.com
Instagram: @nedskee
Twitter: @nedskee
Flight for Sight 2024
Photography is a language that speaks to our senses and emotions. It whispers secrets about the world—a sun-kissed meadow, a bustling city street, a tearful embrace. Yet, for those without sight, this language remains silent. Photographs, no matter how evocative, remain mere abstractions for those who cannot see them. The smooth texture of a skyscraper, the solitude of a mountain lake, or the rugged texture of a tree’s bark are all lost in translation unless you are actually there to experience them. But what if there was a way?
We are excited to announce today that Carrie and I are among three winners of the Flight For Sight Travel Grant. This $10,000 grant will allow us to visit locations across the U.S. this summer and capture iconic photos which we will convert to tactile renditions using our newly developed process. Our goal is to make visual art more accessible, and we can’t wait to share our results with the blind and visually impaired community.
So far, we have East and West coast trips planned and we would love to hear your suggestions for places we should visit, photograph, and share!
Follow us on Instagram and X @nedskee and @carrietahquechi Join us on our exciting journey this summer to make photos you can feel.
“Traveling, without sight, is an extraordinary journey of exploration. In the quiet footsteps and whispered winds, you discover a world painted in sensations—the warmth of sun-kissed stones, the rhythm of bustling streets, and the symphony of unfamiliar voices. Each tactile map, each shared laughter, becomes a constellation of memories etched upon your soul. In the vastness of the unknown, you find not darkness, but a canvas waiting for your touch—a masterpiece woven from courage, resilience, and the sheer wonder of exploration.” – Ted Tahquechi
About the author
Ted Tahquechi is a blind photographer, travel influencer, disability advocate and photo educator based in Denver, Colorado. You can see more of Ted’s work at www.tahquechi.com
Ted operates Blind Travels, a travel blog designed specifically to empower blind and visually impaired travelers. https://www.blindtravels.com/
Ted’s body-positive Landscapes of the Body project has been shown all over the world, learn more about this intriguing collection of photographic work at: https://www.bodyscapes.photography/
Questions or comments? Feel free to email Ted at: nedskee@tahquechi.com
Instagram: @nedskee
Twitter: @nedskee
An accessible hotel near Disney’s Main Gate in Anaheim
The SpringHill suites is a few minutes walk from the main gate of Disneyland. The hotel offers friendly staff and a full breakfast included.
Check out our accessibility review.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Anaheim Maingate an accessible review
“Traveling, without sight, is an extraordinary journey of exploration. In the quiet footsteps and whispered winds, you discover a world painted in sensations—the warmth of sun-kissed stones, the rhythm of bustling streets, and the symphony of unfamiliar voices. Each tactile map, each shared laughter, becomes a constellation of memories etched upon your soul. In the vastness of the unknown, you find not darkness, but a canvas waiting for your touch—a masterpiece woven from courage, resilience, and the sheer wonder of exploration.” – Ted Tahquechi
About the author
Ted Tahquechi is a blind photographer, travel influencer, disability advocate and photo educator based in Denver, Colorado. You can see more of Ted’s work at www.tahquechi.com
Ted operates Blind Travels, a travel blog designed specifically to empower blind and visually impaired travelers. https://www.blindtravels.com/
Ted’s body-positive Landscapes of the Body project has been shown all over the world, learn more about this intriguing collection of photographic work at: https://www.bodyscapes.photography/
Questions or comments? Feel free to email Ted at: nedskee@tahquechi.com
Instagram: @nedskee
Twitter: @nedskee