Exhibit Design Relating to Low Vision and Blindness Summary Report

Tactile Maps for Orientation and Way Finding

Tactile maps for orientation and way finding are found in a variety of forms. The simplest form of a tactile map utilizes a raised line diagram of a layout of a building. There are additional ways to engage the tactile sense and usually in a combination with visual and auditory information in order to build a really rich and universal orientation and way finding strategy for an institution. Users benefit from maps that provide navigation within the environment such as portable maps, way finding signs or a combination of the two. In addition, maps for orientation provide a big picture understanding of a whole geographic or environmental space for context.

Portable tactile maps

A variety of techniques have been used to produce portable tactile maps. Regardless of the technique employed, the major drawback of portable tactile maps is they lack a fixed point of reference, or a You Are Here marker. This is a crucial feature for someone trying to create a cognitive model of a complex environment and where they are within the context of the map. When the user is in motion, they have a difficult time knowing where they are at the moment, and which direction they may be facing. However, well-made tactile maps are useful for simple spaces, and drawn with limited tactile features. Some guides suggest the use of “no more than three distinct line types, three different textures and four or five point symbols, such as stairs and building entrances (Rowell and Ungar, 2003). Other rules of thumb include restrictions on crowding, and proper use of Braille labeling (Edman, 1992)” (Landau, 2010, p. 6).

Fixed tactile maps

Fixed tactile maps have the advantage that they can be affixed in the environment where they can be found by the person with vision loss and positioned in the correct orientation. Placement on a horizontal or near horizontal surface provides the map reader with a real world orientation. Maps should be large enough to provide sufficient scale for detail, but not so large that the map reader has to change their position or reorient themselves.

Talking three-dimensional models for way-finding and orientation

Touchable models provide more spatially accurate information than the simple raised line map. A three dimensional representation of the physical environment is more easily spatially understood than a raised-line map of that space. Scale models provide information about building volumes and details that can provide valuable information about orientation in a space. However, without additional audio descriptive information to actually assist the blind user in navigating from the model to destinations within the space, models are not useful for way finding.

Talking map models with descriptive information are useful for orientation and navigation. Touch activated on-demand descriptions of model elements provide a better understanding of what the map reader is looking at. Some models provide information in a series of audio layers that are accessed by continuing finger contact with a single part of the model.

Scale and size

Large scale maps are desirable, but how big is too big? Generally maps and models should fall within “the wingspan” (within arm’s reach or a suggested 50” x 30”) to be explored from one spot. If a map or model needs to be larger, then smaller inset maps or a smaller scale model for orientation should be provided.