Guidelines for Standardizing the Design of Tactile Maps: A Review of Research and Best Practice

Wabínski, Jakub; Mościcka, Albina; Touya, Guillaume

doi:10.1080/00087041.2022.2097760

Cited by 14 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…This viewpoint is supported by recent literature that shows that, when given the same amount of spatial information, EB perform as well as SC and LB in many spatial tasks and, by doing so, they activate the same cortical areas and neural networks than their sighted counterparts 67 . This emphasizes the need to improve the accessibility of spatial information and to adequately adapt and standardize the tactile maps available in public spaces 22,76 . Clearer 3D maps may give rise to more opportunities for autonomous navigation, more exposure to complex environments, and hence improved cognitive mapping skills in visually impaired populations.…”

Section: Amodality Of Cognitive Mapsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tactile maps can thus provide a survey, or allocentric, understanding of an environment in a more effective way than direct experience 18,20,21 . Because of their usefulness, there are now numerous technologies and ways to produce tactile maps 22 . However, early blind (EB) still experience challenges in orientation and tactile map reading [23][24][25][26][27] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cognitive map formation in the blind is enhanced by three-dimensional tactile information

Bleau¹,

Acker²,

Nemargut³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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For blind individuals, tactile maps are useful tools to form cognitive maps through touch. However, they still experience challenges in cognitive map formation and independent navigation. Three-dimensional (3D) tactile information is thus increasingly being considered to convey enriched spatial information, but it remains unclear if it can facilitate cognitive map formation compared to traditional two-dimensional (2D) tactile information. Consequently, the present study investigated the impact of the type of sensory input (tactile vs. visual) on cognitive map formation. To do so, early blind (EB, n=13), late blind (LB, n=12), and sighted (SC, n=14) participants were tasked to learn the layouts of mazes produced with different sensory information (visual vs. tactile 2D vs. tactile 3D) and to infer routes from memory. Results show that EB only manifested stronger cognitive map formation with 3D mazes. LB performed equally well with 2D and 3D mazes, and SC manifested equivalent cognitive map formation with visual and 3D tactile mazes. 3D tactile maps therefore have the potential to improve spatial learning for EB and newly blind individuals through a reduction of cognitive overload. Installation of 3D tactile maps in public spaces should be considered to promote universal accessibility and reduce blind individuals’ wayfinding deficits related to the inaccessibility of spatial information through non-visual means.

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Section: Amodality Of Cognitive Mapsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive map formation in the blind is enhanced by three-dimensional tactile information

Bleau¹,

Acker²,

Nemargut³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…Guidelines recommend using more than one variable to distinguish features on tactile maps [17]. The Use of Colour success criterion in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines emphasizes the importance of not relying solely on colour to convey information [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Qualitative Colour Palettes for Tactile Maps

Wabiński,

Śmiechowska-Petrovskij

2024

IJGI

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Much attention is currently being paid to developing universally designed solutions. Tactile maps, designed for people with visual impairments (PVI), require both graphic and tactile content. While many more- or less-official guidelines regarding tactile symbols exist, the subject literature lacks clear guidance on creating legible, highly contrasting graphic symbols for visual perception by those with residual vision. This study specifically addresses the application of colour, a key graphic variable that Is most often used to differentiate area symbols. We wanted to verify whether it is possible to choose a universal qualitative colour palette for tactile maps. We have proposed four different palettes, each with eight colours, that were later evaluated in a controlled study by 16 PVI with varying sociodemographic characteristics, using the VIEW model. The model is widely applied in the area of marketing research and considers the following aspects: Visibility, Informational, Emotional Appeal, and Workability. Our results indicate a lack of unanimity in choosing the best qualitative palette. The results of three palettes are comparable, with a subtle preference for the palette optimized for colour differences using the Python algorithm. Notably, the palette commonly used in official tactile maps in Poland received the lowest scores in every analysed dimension.

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“…Tactile maps need to be strongly generalized, because PVI have lower touch and sight perception than normal vision (Klatzky and Lederman, 2003;Yanoff and Duker, 2009). Therefore, traditional maps cannot be simply extruded and colouredtactile maps have to be either transcribed from existing visual maps or translated from raw spatial data (Cole, 2021), following the existing guidelines and best practices (Wabiński et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If we add to this the fact that currently either manual (handcrafted) method and/or large-volume methods (e.g. thermoforming) are the most commonly used for production of tactile maps (Wabiński et al, 2022), it will become understandable that in many parts of the world (including highly developed countries), we experience a shortage of tactile cartographic materials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

UV printed tactile maps of historic parks

Wabiński,

Araszkiewicz,

Mościcka

et al. 2024

AGILE GIScience Ser.

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Abstract. Tactile maps are complex to develop because people with visual impairments (PVI) have perception limitations that require the maps to be highly simplified. However, tactile maps also need to meet other criteria, such as being user-friendly, cost-effective, and fast to produce. Current production methods for tactile maps are not satisfactory. Fortunately, we observe a rapid development of novel production techniques, e.g. additive manufacturing. One of them is UV printing, which has not been applied to tactile graphics yet. Our preliminary research indicates that this technique fulfils all the criteria for making tactile maps. A case study map of a historic park UV printed on a foamed PVC that consists of both: highly-contrasting graphic content and height-differentiated tactile content, has been positively evaluated in a controlled study session by 15 PVI. This technique could enable easy and cheap production of high-quality tactile maps, improving the availability of cartographic materials for PVI worldwide.

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Guidelines for Standardizing the Design of Tactile Maps: A Review of Research and Best Practice

Cited by 14 publications

References 45 publications

Cognitive map formation in the blind is enhanced by three-dimensional tactile information

Cognitive map formation in the blind is enhanced by three-dimensional tactile information

Evaluation of Qualitative Colour Palettes for Tactile Maps

UV printed tactile maps of historic parks

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