A new research collection shows just how important tactile mapping is for people who are blind or have low vision.
Global location intelligence and mapping company Esri has published Tactile Mapping: Cartography for People with Visual Impairments, a collection of expert-written chapters, case studies, and user stories demonstrating how cartography can create greater accessibility for people who are visually impaired.
Tactile maps offer greater independence and inclusion for people who are blind, yet much of the research done in this area has remained inaccessible to a broader audience. Tactile Mapping: Cartography for People with Visual Impairments bridges this gap with real-life case studies and user stories.
The collection is a collaboration between skilled professionals, domain experts, and people with visual impairments and is an introduction to the field for cartographers and other geographic science practitioners. Topics covered in Tactile Mapping include:
- The role of maps in shaping perception of the world
- Best practices in tactile map design, including an understanding of tactile perception
- The need for map design processes to be user centered
- Different output media for tangible maps and geographic models
Tactile Mapping: Cartography for People with Visual Impairments is available in print and as an ebook from most online retailers.