Translation logo: geometric figure; CAL Creative Adaptations for Learning

Background & History

CAL was founded in 1985 by Shirley Keller, a nurse-educator with decades of experience adapting materials for use by people who are blind. The major goal of CAL is to develop, test and publish tactile pictures that can be interpreted by touch.

Photo: Hands 'looking' at CAL-tac illustration
Photo by Joseph Boverman

Five years of research led to the development of CAL-tac^TM (Creatively Adapted LEGIBLE tactuals) illustrations. The CAL-tac^TM format transforms the concept of a print picture into a three dimensional textured illustration, which can be interpreted by touch.

CAL materials are designed for people who are isolated from the mainstream of printed matter, e.g. people (especially children) who are blind, visually impaired, learning disabled, dyslexic, or who have cognitive, perceptual or other sensory special needs.

CAL is committed to making pictures accessible. We create pictures that reduce barriers to comprehension. The careful crafting of these educational and enrichment materials ensures maximum tactile readability and an enjoyable interactive motif.

CAL-tac^TM illustrations may be interpreted independently by a person who is blind (that is, without the intervention of a sighted person).

Disabilities aside, CAL-tac^TM materials provide equal opportunity for everyone: no bias to race, gender, age, religion, or national origin. CAL products are found in private homes, schools, agencies, and hospitals around the world.

CAL in the News

‘Pictures’ Bring Books Alive for the Blind — from the New York Times

Creative Adaptations helps blind children ‘see’ — from Long Island Business News

Supporters Pack CAL Luncheon — from the Great Neck Record

Creative Adaptations for Learning
Creating tactile graphics for children and adults who are blind, visually impaired, or have dyslexia, autism, cognitive learning disability, or other special needs.

38 Beverly Road, Great Neck, NY 11021-1330
Phone: (516) 466-9143
Web site: http://www.cal-s.org
E-mail: calinfo@cal-s.org