Canon and the Royal Society for Blind Children partners for tactile exhibition

Aug 19, 2026 | Industry News

Canon YPP RSBC exhibition photo 2 Canon and the Royal Society for Blind Children partners for tactile exhibition

Canon and the RSBC partnered to bring a tactile exhibition to visually impaired students

Canon UK & Ireland has partnered with the Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) to create a tactile photography exhibition that enables visually impaired students to experience images through touch.

The project began in late 2025, when Canon ambassador Elisa Iannacone delivered a bespoke Canon Young People Programme workshop for seven RSBC students in Orpington. During the session, students created portrait images centred around their favourite activities, using photography as a creative tool to express identity and personality.

The students’ portraits have now been transformed into tactile relief prints using Canon’s elevated printing technology.

Printed on the Canon Arizona 2380 XT using PRISMAelevate XL software, the process uses carefully developed height maps and multiple layers of UV-curable ink to build raised textures, giving each image a physical dimension that can be explored by hand.

Sarah Mallion, vice principal/head of business and operations at RSBC, said: “The response from students’ families has been overwhelmingly positive, and the project has shown how technology can open up new ways for young people to connect with creativity. We hope this is just the beginning of more accessible exhibitions and learning experiences.”

The initiative reflects Canon’s commitment to making creative education more inclusive through its Canon Young People Programme, which supports young people in using visual storytelling to explore the issues, ideas and experiences that matter to them.

Neale Conroy, marketing director, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon UK & Ireland, said: “At Canon, we believe imaging should inspire curiosity, confidence and creativity, and this collaboration with RSBC brings that to life in such a meaningful way.

“By using elevated print technology to make images accessible through touch, we’re helping more young people connect with visual storytelling and share their own perspectives.”