Development and enhancement of the accessible tactile model Fitting Cells for teaching cytology

Abstract

This article presents the expanded development and redesign of the tactile educational resource Fitting Cells, created to support the teaching of Cytology in Elementary Education from an inclusive perspective. The proposal seeks to promote access for students with visual impairments and expand the possibilities of multisensory exploration of animal and plant cells through three-dimensional models produced using 3D printing. This applied study, grounded in a qualitative approach, describes the technical and methodological process involving digital modeling, prototype printing, tactile adaptation, Braille identification, and visual contrast, resulting in improvements in legibility, tactile predictability, and structural organization of the pieces. The updated version of the material incorporates individual plates with organelles in relief, tactile relationships between form and function, the use of contrasting colors, and Braille writing in the BRL-1 standard, expanding its physical, perceptual, and cognitive accessibility. Usability tests conducted with elementary school students made it possible to assess weight, texture, tactile distinction, visual contrast, and clarity of information, revealing engagement, ease of manipulation, and understanding of cellular structures. Additionally, the resource was handled by blind teachers and researchers during the Brazilian Congress on Assistive Technology, who reported good perception of the shapes and organization of the model. The results indicate that Fitting Cells has strong potential to reduce barriers in Science education, especially in the study of the cell, by integrating principles of Universal Design. The set of pieces, designed to support multiple means of accessing information, proves to be replicable, low-cost, and applicable across different stages of basic education. It is concluded that the redesign of the resource strengthens inclusive pedagogical practices and offers support for the creation of new accessible materials aimed at teaching scientific content in diverse school contexts.