Your basket is currently empty!
About Tactile Tiles
Durable Tactile Communication Tiles Without Barriers
Tactile Tiles creates durable, high contrast tactile communication symbols for learners with visual impairments (VI) and SEND. Designed by teacher Matthew Bernal, these 3D printed tiles are consistent in size, washable, and available with braille. They give learners a practical bridge to braille and a stronger alternative to laminated PECS cards.You can explore our full range of tactile tile sets in the shop
I started Tactile Tiles because I wanted a consistent, long lasting, and quick way to support people with visual impairments and communication needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). After more than 10 years of teaching, including 8 years in a special school in the UK, I had seen too many young people relying on fragile paper symbols that did not last.
The idea of using tactile symbols in education is not new. Organisations such as the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI)
The idea came after a conversation with a speech and language therapist. A few days of testing different designs led to the first tiles being trialled in school, where they worked straight away. Within a few months I had created over 300 tiles to support not only learners with visual impairments but also students who use symbol communication systems such as PECS and Widgit in low tech AAC.
Our Mission for Inclusive Communication
Our mission is to provide a long lasting, consistent, and easy-to-produce alternative to traditional low tech AAC resources such as PECS and Widgit. These resources are valuable and effective. But they take hours to cut and laminate. Schools must also replace them when they are chewed, torn, or damaged.
We created tiles to remove that burden by giving schools and families durable symbols that are ready to use, washable, and built to last.
Why I Created Tactile Tiles
Communication Without Barriers
I spent years making laminated symbols for my students – printing, cutting, laminating, and cutting again – only for them to get ripped, wet, or lost. So I set out to make something better.
Tactile Tiles are tough, high contrast, and fully tactile. They are all the same size, with or without braille, and the top right corner is cut so they are easy to orientate. We have used them for snack choices, activity boards, and now/next schedules, and they have already made a real difference.
One of my favourite moments was when a young man, born without eyes, returned to his tiles. He asked for another chocolate biscuit with the cookie tile, without any prompts. That single moment showed me exactly why this work matters.
About Me
My name is Matt Bernal and I have been a teacher for over 10 years. I have taught across the north west of England and also spent two years in Cyprus teaching children of British armed forces personnel.
For the past 8 years I have worked in a special educational needs school in Cheshire, supporting learners with a wide range of needs, all with EHCPs. Whatever the challenge, I have always believed that having a reliable way to communicate is essential for every learner.
Our Commitment
We create a more robust and long lasting alternative to paper symbols. Our focus is affordability in both time and money. Tactile Tiles support all learners, with a special focus on people with visual impairments.
If you’d like to request a custom tile or discuss a licence for your school, please get in touch with us
Tactile Communication Tiles Innovation: 3D-Printed AAC and Braille Resources
Empowering communication through 3D-printed tactile symbols for diverse learning needs.
