Rules

Rules updated in October 2025

PREAMBLE

Since its creation in 2000, the aim of Typhlo & Tactus (T&T) is to increase the quantity, quality and distribution of tactile illustrated books for children with vision impairment (partially sighted and blind) in all countries. These books are fully accessible by touch.

The 24 participating countries that make up the international T&T network are actively working in their own countries as well as internationally to:

increase the supply of tactile illustrated books at affordable prices;

  • raise awareness of the need for this type of books;
  • advise and guide the authors of tactile illustrated books;
  • share ideas, resources and information;
  • participate in research in that field.

In practical terms, every two years, the founding members of T&T organise the world’s only international competition for creators of tactile illustrated books, allowing the widest possible awareness of what a tactile illustrated book is, sharing and exchanging, during the competition and via this website, information on good practice, progress in production techniques, and the various ways of illustration available to tactile exploration.

The group would like to thank all authors who create books for blind children on a voluntary basis.

ARTICLE 1

T&T is an international competition for authors of tactile illustrated books for children with vision impairment (partially sighted or blind) from 0 to 12 years old. The international competition is preceded by national selection. Maximum of five books from each country can go up to the international T&T competition.

ARTICLE 2

The organiser of T&T 2026 competition is a group of seven European countries: Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland and United Kingdom led by KNIHOVNA HMATOVÝCH KNÍŽEK / the TACTILE BOOK LIBRARY which is provided by Asociace rodičů a přátel dětí nevidomých a slabozrakých v ČR / the Association of Parents and Friends of Partially Sighted and Blind Children in the Czech Republic. The T&T 2026 competition is taking place in Prague.

ARTICLE 3

The authors are represented by their national partner, i.e. the organisation which communicates with the Czech organisers of T&T competition.

Article 4

The T&T entries must be original creations (both text and illustrations) OR adaptations of a published book OR adaptations of a work that exists in the public domain. In all cases, each of the entries in the competition must be a finished product rather than a work in progress.

Article 5

Each book can only be submitted to the T&T competition once.

ARTICLE 6

All entries must comply with the following points:

  1. Tactile illustrations, relief pictures: All kinds of creation methods are acceptable, provided the illustrations are clear, understandable, durable and suitable for tactile exploration.
  2. Text: When the book contains a text it must be in embossed Braille and in black print which follows accessibility guidelines. See Tips and All the books and contact your national partner for assistance with Braille print.
  3. Binding: The book must open flat for tactile reading.
  4. Colours and contrasts: The use of strong and contrasting colours is desirable for the partially sighted.
  5. Durability: The book must be made to withstand repeated thorough tactile exploration.

ARTICLE 7

Deadline for submitting competition books to the T&T competition is July 31, 2026. The deadline is concerning entries and electronic documents, too. More about submitting at How to participate.

ARTICLE 8

The jury awards 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes, and Special Mentions.

ARTICLE 9

The photos of the entries can be used for advertising purposes, on the Typhlo & Tactus website and on all documents used by T&T regarding the promotion of tactile illustrated books (e.g. on the event poster, on posters announcing T&T, or in PowerPoint presentations).

ARTICLE 10

Organisers of T&T competition reserve the right to modify, amend or supplement the present rules as well as cancel or postpone the competition due to unforeseen circumstances. The right not to accept any participant shall be held at the jury’s discretion. The organisers of T&T competition decline all responsibility for any damage or loss of entries from the moment they are sent to the competition until they are returned to their owners. There will be no refund for the expenses incurred by the participants.

ARTICLE 11

After finishing the competition all the entries sent to the international competition will be sent back to the T&T national partner in each country, which is responsible for returning these to their owners.

ARTICLE 12

Participating in T&T competition entails full agreement of all and each one of these rules.

 

Thank you for your participating in T&T!