New Zealand O&M instructors’ perspectives about, and experience in, the use of tactile maps with people with vision impairment

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the perspectives and experience of New Zealand O&M instructors in the use of tactile maps with people with vision impairment. In-depth, open-ended, and semi-structured interviews were used to gather information from four participants, who were qualified O&M instructors. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Three inter-related themes emerged from the data that effected the O&M’s tactile map usage: (1) the tactile map and the O&M instructor, (2) student needs and experiences, and (3) time and resources. Microcapsule and thermoform maps were the least used map medium, with collage map techniques used frequently by half of the participants. The most preferred tactile maps were ready-made tactile map kits, and instructors drawing directly on the students’ hand or back. Tactile maps were used mostly by the participants to meet the orientation needs of motivated students, who were blind, had no visual memory, or did not use their vision for orientation purposes. Tactile maps were considered a vital orientation tool when the participants were teaching such students, and the participants did not believe Global Positioning System (GPS) applications would fully replace tactile maps. However, in general, the participants revealed that tactile maps were used infrequently as an orientation tool in New Zealand because of caseload makeup, limited time, and limited resources. In order to increase the use of tactile maps, tactile map resources may need to be more readily available. In addition, further research is needed about the characteristics of people with a vision impairment, who benefit from tactile maps, along with the effect of tactile maps usage on an O&M instructor’s caseload and time, so that O&M instructors can plan accordingly and people with a vision impairment can continue to benefit from this important orientation tool.

Understanding Data Selection in Tactile Mapping: An Inclusive Design Approach

“…Research includes investigating the uses of technology (iPad) as a visual aid for individuals with low vision (Mednick et al, 2017), assessing the social integration of blind and low vision employees in the workplace (Naraine & Lindsay, 2011), to elicit common outdoor difficulties (Riazi et al, 2016), and to identify mobility and access to transport issues (Gallagher et al, 2011). Thematic analysis is not common in literature when researching tactile maps, only two articles were found which used thematic analysis in conjunction with tactile maps (Minhat & Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2020; Baldwin & Higgins, 2022).…”

“…Tactile maps improve the spatial decision making of blind and low vision navigators (Blades et al, 1999;Lobben, 2005;Lobben & Lawrence, 2012;Perkins, 2002;Siekierska et al, 2003;Spencer et al, 1992;Ungar et al, 1993Ungar et al, , 1997. In the past, tactile maps have been used as tools to promote an understanding of distant environments, as educational tools, and to support verbal or written directions (Baldwin & Higgins, 2022;Blades et al, 1999;Kulhavy et al, 1993;Ungar et al, 1995).…”