Science for Everyone: Tactile Braille Periodic Table of Elements at Stanford

Celebrating the permanent installation of a Tactile Braille Periodic Table of Elements at Stanford

The first permanent university installation in the country — an initiative of the ACS Committee on Chemists with Disabilities (CWD).

An evening highlighting how access to science can strengthen trust and expand science education for everyone. Meet leaders and members of the American Chemical Society, Silicon Valley ACS Local Section, Department of Chemistry at Stanford University, Center for STEMM Mentorship, and others committed to accessible science.

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Event Agenda

5:00-5:30 PM | Welcome & Remarks (Auditorium STLC 111)Welcome - Prof. Richard N. Zare, Chemistry, StanfordRemarks - Dr. Maria T. Dulay, Stanford & ACS CWD (Member, 2018–2025); Dr. Alison C. Mody, BonitoBiosciences & ACS CWD (Member)5:30-5:40 PM | Presentation of the Tactile Braille Periodic Table (Gallery)5:40-7:00 PM | Reception & Activities (Gallery)7:00 PM | ClosingTactile Braille Periodic Table: Short History and Evolution

The Tactile Braille Periodic Table at Stanford is part of a broader effort by the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Chemists with Disabilities (ACS CWD) to increase awareness of accessibility and the different ways people experience and access scientific information.

The project traces its roots to an accessible periodic table developed by ACS CWD in 2019, the 150th anniversary of the periodic table. This first-generation table incorporated Braille and American Sign Language into 3D-printed element tiles and served to initiate conversations about disability and accessibility in chemistry. [1,2]

A next-generation tactile periodic table emerged through the work of ACS CWD members Dr. Michael Fricke and Dr. Mona Minkara. Their collaboration resulted in a scalable wooden tactile table designed around Braille, which they described in Nature Reviews Chemistry [3].

The project has since evolved into a community-building activity and an accessible educational resource. At the 2025 ACS Western Regional Meeting in San Jose, students, chemists, ACS members, and other attendees helped create the tactile table that will be permanently installed at Stanford, while learning about Braille and engaging in conversations about disability, accessibility, and inclusion. [4]

On October 8, this community-created tactile table will find its permanent home in Stanford’s Sapp Center for Science Teaching and Learning where it can continue to educate, spark conversations, and raise awareness about accessibility in science.

[1] Dulay, M. T. C&EN, 97(36), September 14, 2019. “Committee on Chemists with Disabilities debuts accessible periodic table”. https://cen.acs.org/articles/97/i36/Committee-Chemists-Disabilities-debuts-accessible.html

[2] Zhang, T.; Cummings, M: Dulay, M.T. (2022) J. Chem. Ed. 99, 3355-3359. “An outreach/learning activity for STEAM education via the design and 3D printing of an accessible periodic table.” https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.2c00186

[3] Fricke, M.; Minkara, M. (2025) Nat. Rev. Chem. 9, 1-2. “Presenting the tactile periodic table.” https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-024-00675-2

[4] Dulay, M.T. The Vortex, ACS CA Local Section, Dec 2025, p. 13. “Building Inclusion Through Touch: The ACS Tactile Braille Periodic Table.” https://calacs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-The-Vortex-1.pdf?utmsource=chatgpt.com

For more information, contact Dr. Maria Dulay: [email protected]