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APH Educational Research

Karen J. Poppe


Tactile Graphics Project Leader
E-mail: kpoppe@aph.org

Karen J. (Peters) Poppe is APH’s full-time Tactile Graphics Project Leader who joined the Educational Research Department in 1986. She graduated from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky with a B.A. in Psychology. She completed courses in the area of visual impairments/blindness at the University of Louisville, including Literary Braille, Nemeth Code, and Curriculum Adaptation. Her area of expertise is in the area of tactile graphics that “touches” on all skills and concepts addressed in the Core Curriculum and Expanded Core Curriculum. She is especially committed to developing products that are functional and attractive to all students so that students with visual impairments and blindness can share learning experiences with their sighted peers. She continually investigates new production methods for generating combined tactile/print materials. She initiated the Research Department’s Field Test Evaluator Database and has provided numerous tactile display designs for the Tactile Image Library. She is also responsible for the design of original board games and tactile recreational products long absent from APH’s product line. She enjoys navigating products from original concept to availability and encourages teachers, transcribers, parents, and students to contact her regarding any of the products listed below. Recommendations for additional tactile graphic materials are also welcomed.

Products Designed and/or Authored by Karen:

Early Tactile Graphic Instruction/Literacy
   Setting the Stage for Tactile Understanding
   Tactile Treasures: Math and Language Concept for Young Children with Visual Impairments
   IntelliTactiles: Pre-Braille Concepts
Tactile Connections: Symbols for Communication

Recreational Materials/Accessories
   Web Chase
   Scattered Crowns
   SQUID: Tactile Activities Magazine (Issues 1-6)
   Score Card
   Talking Glow Dice
   Adaptation of Brain Quest ®: Science, American History, Geography, and English Editions
   Pop-A-Cell

Science Materials
   Sense of Science: Plants
   Sense of Science: Animals
   Sense of Science: Astronomy
   Periodic Table of the Elements Reference Chart
   Azer’s Interactive Periodic Table Study Set
   Tactile Demonstration Thermometer

Math Materials
   Beginner’s Abacus Guidebook
   StackUps: Spatial Reasoning Using Cubes and Isometric Drawings
   Textured Sorting Circles and Shapes
   Stick-On Tactile Ruler

Geography Materials
   U.S. Puzzle Map
   Tactile World Globe

Tactile Storybooks/Concept Books
   Rolling Into Place
   Rolling Right Along Construction Kit
   Flip-Over Concept Book Series

Orientation and Mobility Materials
   Picture Maker: Wheatley Tactile Diagramming Kit
   Picture Maker Accessories:
      Textured Diagramming Strips
      Geometric Textured Shapes
      Storage Panel
   Tactile Town: 3-D O&M Kit

Tactile Graphic Tools and Accessories
   DRAFTSMAN: Tactile Drawing Board
   Quick Draw Paper
   Feel n’ Peel Stickers I & II: Point Symbols; Alphabet; Numbers; Reward Statements; Color Names
   Tactile Graphics Kit (Re-Design)
   Tactile Graphic Line Drawing Tools
   Braillable Labels and Sheets
   PermaBraille Sheets
   Graphic Art Tape

Tactile Display Boards
   All-In-One Board
   Tri-Fold Board

Computer Literacy
   IntelliTactiles: Standard Overlay Companions
   IntelliTactiles: USB Overlay Companions




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