Highlights in the implementation of the AstroBVI Project to increase quality education and reduce inequality in Latin America

AstroBVI is an inclusive astronomy project funded by the International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD). AstroBVI has been designed for the blind and visually impaired (BVI) community, who are often excluded from outreach and educational activities concerning visually-intensive areas of knowledge such as astronomy. In this project we aim to break down the barriers between science and ability, and to bring astronomy’s beauty to a visually-impaired public, independently of gender, wealth and social status. We have created and distributed educational kits composed of 3D tactile maps of galaxies accompanied by a manual and multimedia material in Spanish and Portuguese. Our kit has been mainly distributed to Latin American countries, where we have created a community of AstroBVI teachers. We present the project and highlight some of the activities carried out by this community.