A groundbreaking project is changing the way blind and low-vision students learn by using 3D-printed models to bring objects to life. At the South Australian School for Vision Impaired, students can now “see” everything from pufferfish to the Mona Lisa—by touching detailed, printed replicas. The initiative, developed in partnership with Monash University, helps students better understand shapes, textures, and spatial concepts that are difficult to grasp through raised-line drawings.
Teacher Adrian Riessen says the models give students a stronger sense of their surroundings, making concepts like maps and buildings easier to visualize. The project also follows newly developed guidelines to ensure designs are clear, accessible, and include Braille where needed. Researchers hope this technology will expand to more classrooms, providing a richer, more inclusive learning experience for blind and low-vision students. As one young student put it after exploring a model, “It feels real—it makes sense now!”