Haptic variables and their use on maps
Tactile maps are specialized maps designed for people with visual impairments, allowing them to “read” the map by touch.
Before moving on with more details on tactile maps, you may have a look at the encyclopedia entry (2010). Tactile map reading. In E. B. Goldstein (Ed.) Encyclopedia of perception (pp. 951-952). SAGE Publications, Inc., https://
Tactile maps are created using raised lines, textures, and symbols to represent geographical features like streets, buildings, and bodies of water. This helps individuals with low vision or blindness to understand their surroundings and navigate their environment. They often include Braille labels to identify locations and landmarks. Tools like Touch Mapper allow for the creation of custom tactile maps, and nowadays, 3D printing is commonly used to produce these maps. The brief presentation on The Haptic Dimension of Mapmaking provided in the course materials introduces some of the haptic variables used in tactile maps for persons with VI.
Tactile maps help individuals develop a better understanding of their spatial environment. They enable people with visual impairments to navigate independently and find their way around unfamiliar places. Tactile maps are valuable educational tools, allowing individuals to learn about geography and other subjects.
Parkes (1988), combined tactile map overlay on touchscreen with auditory output, while Rice et al., 2005 explored different approaces e.g. virtual maps with haptic and audio feedback. Overall, a wide variety of prototypes have been developed, classified by Ducasse et al. (2018) into two “families” of accessible interactive maps:
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- Digital Interactive Maps (DIMs): Purely digital representation
- Hybrid Interactive Maps (HIMs): Include a physical representation
Finally, Real & Araujo, 2019 highlight the design of accessible navigation systems, which use auditory/haptic stimuli
References
Ducasse J., Brock A. M., Jouffrais C. (2018). “Accessible interactive maps for visually impaired users,” in Mobility of Visually Impaired People: Fundamentals and ICT Assistive Technologies, eds Pissaloux E., Velázquez R. (Cham: Springer; ), 537–584. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2208.14685
Parkes D. (1988). “NOMAD”: An audio-tactile tool for the acquisition, use and management of spatially distributed information by partially sighted and blind persons. Proceedings of Second International Conference on Maps and Graphics for Visually Disabled People, 24–29.
Real S, Araujo A. Navigation Systems for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Past Work, Challenges, and Open Problems. Sensors. 2019; 19(15):3404. https://doi.org/10.3390/s19153404
M. Rice, R. D. Jacobson, R. G. Golledge & D. Jones (2005). Design Considerations for Haptic and Auditory Map Interfaces, Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 32:4, 381-391, DOI: 10.1559/152304005775194656