The Louis Website Ecosystem

The Louis website, named in honor of Louis Braille, offers access to 4 powerful databases useful to educators, researchers, parents, and students. These databases include the Louis Database of Accessible Materials, the Accessible Media Producers (AMP) Database, the APH Library catalog, and the Tactile Graphic Image Library (TGIL). The databases are managed by the APH READS (Research, Evaluation, and Digital Information Services) Librarians, who leverage their expertise in library science, accessible materials, and the blindness and low vision field to provide reference services and support to patrons through the “Ask a Librarian” website feature. 

The Louis Database 

The Louis Database of Accessible Materials features listings of K-12 educational resources contributed by over 50 agencies, including NIMAC, Bookshare, and Learning Ally, enabling a unified search for accessible educational materials (AEM) from a variety of producers nationwide. With over 1.5 million items, the database provides information on materials available in braille, large print, e-files, and recorded media. The database also serves as a resource for downloadable, student-ready braille and large print files produced by APH.   

AMP Database 

The Accessible Media Producers (AMP) Database is a self-listing directory for accessible media producers of braille, tactile graphics, large print, e-files, and audio.  Users can perform keyword searches and refine results by various categories, making it easy to narrow down vendors based on format, producer location, and other specialties. The database is designed to help users quickly find and connect with professionals who create accessible materials for hire. 

Learn more about the Louis and AMP databases on The Louis Database and Cycle of Accessible Textbook Creation blog.  

The APH Library 

The APH Library is made up of three collections, the AFB Migel Memorial Collection, the APH Research and Professional Development Collection, and the Blind Musicians Collection. The library aims to promote research, education, and social and cultural awareness by collecting, preserving, and providing access to the largest non-medical collection of materials related to blindness and low vision.  

The APH Research and Professional Development Collection provides access to newer resources related to Tactile Graphics, Braille, Low Vision, Early Childhood Development, Assistive Technology, Tests and Assessments, Multiple Disabilities, Accessibility, and Professional Development. The Migel Collection includes 25,000 print, audio, video and other historical resources, including 10,000+ items digitized at Internet Archive and Open Library, and focuses on preserving social and cultural stories related to blindness and low vision.  

The Blind Musicians Collection is the only known collection dedicated to preserving works of music by blind and low-vision musicians regardless of genre, period, or notoriety.  The collection includes 130 artists, 350 albums, and a listening station. 

Learn more about this database from our APH Library blog!  

The Tactile Graphic Image Library (TGIL) 

The Tactile Graphic Image Library is the Louis Website’s newest database. This image library provides students, parents, teachers, and transcribers with free access to over 2,400 PDF templates, which can be used to create standalone tactile graphics that can be embossed for educational purposes. After you create an account, you can search the TGIL’s various maps, diagrams, graphs, 3D shapes, and symbols covering subjects related to math, art, independent living, monuments, science, and more. The database is also available as an app on the Monarch, APH’s new refreshable braille display, giving Monarch users instant access to the TGIL’s catalog of materials. Additionally, if the image you are interested in is not available, you can request an image be added, as well as donate images if you are a tactile graphic artist yourself.   

Learn more about this database from our TGIL blog!