Tactile Colouring Books for Blind Adults: Creativity Without Barriers

Blind and visually impaired adults are finding new ways to enjoy creativity and relaxation through tactile colouring books. In this Double Tap Extra, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece meet Kirsty McAllister and Denise Wallace to explore how raised-line illustrations and tactile crayons are making colouring accessible — and why it matters. This lively conversation starts with Steven and Shaun’s trademark humour and tech rants before shifting into an uplifting interview with Kirsty McAllister and Denise Wallace. Kirsty, an illustrator, created tactile colouring sheets for Denise, her blind friend, using raised printing techniques that don’t flatten when coloured over. The result is an accessible, relaxing activity that combines art with tactile learning. Denise explains how scented crayons and touch-based outlines bring the joy of colouring, even without seeing the finished result. Kirsty shares her process, from raised print designs to adding braille and tactile labels to crayons. Together, they highlight the therapeutic value of colouring, the business potential of accessible design, and the broader movement toward tactile graphics, linking to innovations like the Monarch and Dot Pad. The episode also touches on daily accessibility challenges — from software frustrations with Stream Deck and Zoom to personal stories about tipping culture, independence, and navigating life as blind users. Chapters 00:00 – Theme tune banter and tech frustrations 28:00 – Accessibility rants: Stream Deck, Zoom, and Aira 42:35 – Introducing tactile colouring books 45:00 – Interview with Kirsty and Denise 53:30 – Designing raised-line illustrations 56:30 – Making tactile crayons with braille labels 58:50 – Denise’s colouring experience 01:02:00 – Showing finished tactile artwork 01:04:00 – Broader tactile graphics and Monarch discussion 01:06:30 – Closing thoughts and listener callouts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices