Inclusive Astronomy in Peru: Contribution of Astronomy Teaching for Visually Impaired People

TL;DR

This paper discusses the development and implementation of inclusive astronomy education for visually impaired people in Peru, utilizing tactile 3D galaxy models to foster curiosity and understanding of the universe.

Contribution

It introduces the AstroBVI project in Peru, showcasing the use of tactile 3D galaxy models to improve astronomy accessibility for visually impaired individuals.

Findings

Over 160 participants benefited from workshops in 2019.

High interest and engagement observed among visually impaired participants.

Successful adaptation of astronomy education for visually impaired people in Peru.

Abstract

Everything we know about the environment around us is thanks to light, a kind of electromagnetic radiation. Astronomy takes advantage of it and all the electromagnetic spectrum with the help of many devices to record them and determine from which places in our Universe they come. These signals must be processed to obtain the images that are will be then exposed to the public. Astronomers know that these images will inspire and generate curiosity in each person who sees them. This Science is inclusive and wants to transmit the knowledge and the beautiful events that happen in the universe to all people. We try to do that by developing and showing other forms of teaching, taking advantage of new technologies that are available today to bring this knowledge closer to the minorities in our country like visually impaired people. Because of this problem, the AstroBVI project arrived in Peru for the first time, thanks to the distribution of tactile images of 3D galaxies that were delivered to us from the Centro de Astronom\'ia de la Universidad de Antofagasta of the and financed by the International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU-OAD). This allowed the holding of seven workshops during 2019, visiting various institutions and benefiting more than 160 participants with blindness and low vision, identifying in them a lot of interest, which shows the enormous potential presented by these 3D tactile materials.