Ted Tahquechi, a visually impaired photographer and passionate accessibility advocate, offers engaging and informative talks on making visual art accessible to the blind and low vision community. While not affiliated with Tactile Photos, Ted generously provides his speaking services free of charge to photography groups, art collectives, galleries, museums, and other organizations interested in inclusive art practices. His presentations are rooted in lived experience and years of innovation in tactile photography, offering practical insights and inspiring stories that challenge traditional boundaries of how art is experienced. Ted is happy to speak in person or via zoom.
Information about Ted:
In a world where visual art is often confined to the realm of sight, Ted Tahquechi stands as a beacon, illuminating the path toward inclusivity. As a visually impaired photographer, tactile artist, and advocate for accessibility in visual art, Ted’s journey is a testament to resilience and innovation. His mission? To transform the way art is experienced, ensuring it’s not just seen, but also touched and felt by all.
Ted’s foray into accessible art began after a life-altering accident led him to rediscover the world through the lens of a camera. Holding degrees in fine art photography, studio art photography, and communications, he embarked on a quest to bridge the chasm between visual and tactile experiences. Collaborating with his wife, Carrie, Ted pioneered an innovative process that extracts textures from images to create tactile files, printable on any 3D printer. This groundbreaking technique debuted at the National Federation of the Blind national conference in 2024, marking a significant milestone in making art accessible to the blind and low vision community.
But Ted’s advocacy doesn’t stop at creation; he’s a fervent speaker, sharing his insights and experiences to inspire change. At venues like the Dairy Arts Center, The Junkyard, Heather’s Camp, and Madelife in Boulder, he delves into topics ranging from photography and vision loss to using art as a healing tool. His talks challenge the conventional perceptions of art, urging artists and institutions to adopt inclusive practices.
Imagine a world where:
- Photographers add alternative text descriptions to their social media posts, opening their work to an entirely new audience.
- Sculptors create smaller, touchable versions of their pieces for those without sight.
- Painters provide audio descriptions in their own words, narrating the essence of their creations.
- Museums incorporate tactile representations of exhibited art, allowing everyone to experience the masterpieces.
Through these initiatives, the realm of visual art becomes a domain of inclusivity, where millions who were previously sidelined can now partake in its beauty. Ted’s vision is clear: art should be an experience for all, transcending the boundaries of sight.
For those eager to delve deeper into Ted’s work or to invite him to speak at events, more information is available on his official website. Together, with pioneers like Ted leading the way, we can reimagine the art world as a space where everyone, regardless of their visual abilities, can engage, appreciate, and create.