Tactile Maps For The Blind

Thanks to a partnership.

Tactile maps for the blind.

Tactile maps are physical representations of geographic data. Relatively little attention has been paid to the way in which blind and visually impaired people actually use tactile maps for everyday way finding tasks. Tactile maps are particularly helpful in providing blind or visually impaired individuals with an understanding of the layout of physical spaces. Braille maps have been difficult to come by being rare if not non existent.

Touch mapper touch mapper find out how you can create a free tactile map with a 3d printer embosser or on swell paper or order one online. They are an attractive complement to any venue. For a very long time there was research out there implying blind people couldn t use tactile maps he says. Tactile maps are a great aid for people who are blind or partially sighted helping them to orient themselves and to plan routes.

Most research on tactile maps has focused on aspects of map design and methods of construction. Our maps can be made to represent outdoor walking routes indoor floor plan layouts fire exit routes and more. As a blind person and as a researcher i m sort of shocked at this because it s. Braille and tactile maps the lighthouse designs and produces tactile maps of parkland theme parks transit systems street maps and floor plans.

Using touch mapper you can easily create custom outdoor maps for any address of your choice. Hand held tactile and large print maps are portable booklet style maps that give blind and partially sighted people access to information which improves spacial awareness enabling them to engage with an environment more independently. More accurate improved contrast larger text. Go to tmap to make your own tactile maps or to request a user account email.

Clickandgo tactile maps are appropriate for university campuses schools for the blind museums hotel lobbies downtown areas of cities camps libraries and other sites. This site allows users to create customized maps of virtually any location on earth by just searching for an address. One of the biggest challenges faced by blind travelers is obtaining a concept of their surroundings. Ability to pan and zoom map preview to choose map boundary.