Interactivity Improves Usability of Geographic Maps for Visually Impaired People

Abstract

International audienceTactile relief maps are used by visually impaired people to acquire mental representation of space, but they retain important limitations (limited amount of information, braille text, etc.). Interactive maps may overcome these limitations. However, usability of these two types of maps had never been compared. It is then unknown whether interactive maps are equivalent or even better solutions than traditional raised-line maps. This study presents a comparison of usability of a classical raised-line map vs. an interactive map composed by a multi-touch screen, a raised-line overlay and audio output. Both maps were tested by 24 blind participants. We measured usability as efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction. Our results show that replacing braille with simple audio-tactile interaction significantly improved efficiency and user satisfaction. Effectiveness was not related to the map type but depended on users' characteristics as well as the category of assessed spatial knowledge. Long-term evaluation of acquired spatial information revealed that maps, whether interactive or not, are useful to build robust survey-type mental representations in blind users. Altogether, these results are encouraging as they show that interactive maps are a good solution for improving map exploration and cognitive mapping in visually impaired people

Representing Children Living with Visual Impairments in the Design Process: A Case Study with Personae

“…A previous project on a similar topic had involved specialized teachers and visually impaired people in the design process, but not children (Brock et al 2015). The results show that the device improved usability and satisfaction.…”

From Open Geographical Data to Tangible Maps: Improving the Accessibility of Maps for Visually Impaired People

“…In another study, Brock et al (2014) designed gestural interaction techniques that enable a blind user to choose between different types of information, retrieving the names or detailed information about points of interest, or measuring the distance between them. In a follow-up study, Brock et al (2015) demonstrated that, compared to classical raised-line maps, interactive tactile maps improve efficiency and user satisfaction in a map exploration task. One of the main limitations of interactive tactile maps is that they require the manual production of raised-line overlays, which is a timeconsuming process.…”

An Exploratory Study of the Uses of a Multisensory Map—With Visually Impaired Children

“…Legends were structured around the different types of geographical information. In general, when discovering a new tactile map, visually impaired people first read the legends [27]. Similarly, in the prototype, students can go through the first menu, and then read the content within each category (second menu).…”

“…MapSense was based on an interactive audio-tactile map illustrated in Figure 1, and initially designed by [27]. Its main components are a raised-line map overlay placed over a 27-inch touch screen using capacitive projected technology, connected to a computer and speakers.…”

“…An interactive map using a raised-line overlay (based on [27]) was implemented in the special education center. It was adopted by several teachers and therapists, and children gave positive feedback on its use (see [24]).…”