Tactile Cubing: Solving Rubik’s Cube Without Sight

Paul Martz has created the first screen reader-friendly, text-only guide to solving the Rubik’s Cube—designed for blind cubers. Hear how he mastered the cube without sight and why he’s encouraging others to do the same.

Diagnosed with RP as a teen, Paul shares his story of vision loss, learning Braille, adapting to screen readers, and finally finding a new passion—solving the Rubik’s Cube by touch.

His book, Solve It, is written for blind users and uses accessible, non-visual instructions to help readers go from beginner to speed solver. Paul explains how tactile cubes work, the memorization strategies involved, and how cubing strengthens cognitive skills. He also offers guidance on where to get tactile cubes or how to adapt your own.

Beyond cubing, the episode explores accessibility challenges in programming, screen readers, web design, and why accessibility is still overlooked by most tech companies.

Chapters
00:00 – Paul’s RP diagnosis and vision journey
06:30 – Learning Braille and screen readers
13:20 – Why he returned to Rubik’s Cube
16:00 – Writing the first accessible cube guide
22:45 – What is a tactile cube?
27:40 – Book availability and how to get started
32:00 – Accessibility and mainstream tech challenges

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About Double Tap
Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who’s blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you’ll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

“Double Tap” is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.