APH Educational Research Staff: 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