Creating accessible maps for individuals with visual impairments is a complex process. When designing tactile maps, we need to carefully consider how to best integrate braille to convey information effectively without sacrificing practicality and efficiency. This post explores the challenges and solutions involved in using braille on tactile maps, drawing from our design experience.
Leave a CommentAuthor: Tom
I have been working in accessibility for the last 25 years. I have helped government agencies, corporations and non-profit organizations to become accessible. Over the years I taught over 20000 people about accessibility.
I recently finished reading Crooked Paths Made Straight by Isabelle L.D. Grant, and it’s a book that has really stayed with me. It’s not just a travelogue; it’s a deeply personal account of a blind teacher’s journey around the world in 1959 and 1960, and it offers a unique window into a time that feels very distant from our own. What struck me from the beginning is that this book was completed more than sixty years ago, which gives the text a special historical context.
Leave a CommentFlight for Sight is a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals who are blind or have low vision by offering $10,000 travel grants. These grants enable recipients to explore the world, engage with diverse communities, and educate others about blindness and low vision.
Leave a CommentToday is the birthday of Louis Braille, and in 2024 we also remembered that it has been 200 years that he invented the writing system…
Leave a CommentExploring Tactile Museums: Enhancing Accessibility for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Throughout the years, the general perception of museums has been that they house rich collections of the finest art, culture, history, and other knowledge. However, the traditional design of museums often excludes people who are blind or visually impaired. This is where tactile exhibits or museums come in – promoting inclusivity and creating a better experience for everyone.
If you are interested in understanding how tactile museums function, why they are important, and how they are created, this beginner’s guide will cover all the important aspects.
Leave a CommentGift-giving is a thoughtful way to express love and appreciation. However, choosing the perfect gift for someone with unique needs, such as a visually impaired…
Leave a CommentSports are all about working together, sharing power, and standing together. It transcends language and culture to bring people of all kinds. To most individuals who have blindness or visual impairment, goalball is more than just a sport. This unique sport is created for athletes who have disabilities and is a perfect example of the adaptability of sports. It helps foster confidence among the athletes, enhance communication skills, and improve spatial awareness.
This article looks into goalball’s history, rules, techniques, and influence on its players, as well as explains its role in the efforts toward inclusion.
Leave a CommentTactile maps are, by design, three-dimensional, as they use raised surfaces to make a two-dimensional map touchable. However, traditional tactile maps elevate features just enough for them to be discernible by touch, while 3D maps go further by utilizing height and depth to convey richer, more intuitive information. This makes >3D tactile maps more effective and accessible in many contexts.
The above 3-D map shows the elevations of Kenya with braille labels, made in collaboration with the Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Leave a CommentDiversiGO is a city tour company offering tours for everyone, particularly for people with disabilities. Last time I was in Budapest, I scheduled a tour with them.
Leave a CommentRecently I wrote about how my new building project helped me understand architecture so much better. But last week, when I attended the annual convention of the Souvenir Building Collectors Society, it took my appreciation to a new level.
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