3–D is very dependent, from designing the 3–D models to finding the right file for your to physically operating the process. Obviously, this leaves the impaired at a significant disadvantage––which is especially uncool for a community that sees the world through touch. Yahoo Japan seeks to bring the world of 3–D to the impaired with the "Hands On Search", a cutesy cloud–shaped 3–D that listens to search requests and prints out a 3–D model of the search result. Computer interfaces for the impaired are typically audio–based screen readers, which can be first– or third–party browser experiences and vary in quality and feature options. Automating the 3–D process down to audio controls will bring tactile exploration into the dominant digital world, but it will also open the door for audio–controlled 3–D printed projects on an individual/desktop scale. Yahoo Japan lent the machine to the Special Needs Education School for the Visually Impaired associated with the University of Tsukuba for its trial run. The elementary–aged kids woke up to a sweet surprise earlier this month when they found a 3–D experience especially tailored to their abilities:Read Full Story