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True-3D in Cartography pp 137–151Cite as

State of the Art of Tactile Maps for Visually Impaired People

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Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography ((LNGC))

Abstract

Beside cartographers computer scientists, blind persons pedagogues, and psychologists work worldwide in the field of tactile cartographic media. In the last decades this interdisciplinary research led to significant results. Within the last years new methods, technologies, and devices have been developed. Nevertheless traditional (classical) and new tactile media exist side by side. New media are characterized by the application of computers, GIS, multimediality, internet integration, real and virtual displays. In the widest sense also navigation systems with and without GPS application can be included. The current level of development should be characterized according to the following aspects: mediaforms, symbols and map design, production methods. Today the classical hand maps (single maps), atlases (map series) and globes are still produced. Tactile wall maps are rare. With the new tactile cartographic media the audio-tactile dialogue systems have fully matured and are used practically. Virtual displays and virtual maps are further perfected. A comprehensive standardization of the tactile symbols and the use of symbols has not been reached. A system of general design rules was accepted. Extensive theoretical investigations have led to partly new knowledge. Vasconcellos (1996) adapted the system of visual variable (J. Bertin) for the field of tactile maps. Geiger (2001, 2008) studied the possibilities and limits of the use of cartographic representation methods for thematic tactile maps. First connections und dependencies on structure and function were extensively examinated by Geiger (2008). Presently in principle all maps for blind and visually impaired people can be automatically or partially automatically produced. Therefore the following technologies are used (with different frequency): Thermoform (vacuum forming), Microcapsul (-paper) and Fuser, Embossing, Tactile Print, other. Today with the help of novel technologies the internet can also be used. Particularly since 2007 many new results were published. Also the practical use of these technologies is in its initial state. The number of the new systems is very big. The chairman of the ICA Commission on Maps and Graphics for Blind and Partially Sighted People, Dan Jacobson, sees (2007) the future of tactile cartography in the use of multimodal dynamic computer interfaces.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Cartography, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany

    Wolf Günther Koch

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  1. Wolf Günther Koch
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  1. TU Dresden, Mommsenstr. 23, Dresden, 01062, Germany

    Manfred Buchroithner

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Koch, W.G. (2011). State of the Art of Tactile Maps for Visually Impaired People. In: Buchroithner, M. (eds) True-3D in Cartography. Lecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography(). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12272-9_9

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