The study of Astronomy has established a reputation as fundamentally visual, but the desire to give visually impaired and blind people access to astronomy has long been pursued. Even though telescopes offer useful astronomical image resources, there is a necessity to innovate and create new resources to cater to a wider audience and produce a more inclusive representation that will help the blind and visually impaired community access astronomical resources. The integration and use of 3D models in representing visual images of celestial objects such as the galaxies, is an innovative and effective way to ensure that everyone can explore astronomy more inclusively. This initiative aims to break down obstacles to accessibility and promote a more inclusive approach to astronomy education.

Biography:

Rika Reventar works as a Project Officer at National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) for the International Training Centre in Astronomy (ITCA) under the auspices of UNESCO. A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Astronomy program with Latin honors, she is passionate about advancing Inclusive Astronomy and Astronomy Outreach. Her research aims to promote equitable access to astronomy education and foster greater public engagement in the field.