Map design for visually impaired people: past, present, and future research

Anke Brock (1) , Bernard Oriola (1, 2) , Philippe Truillet (1) , Christophe Jouffrais (2, 1) , Delphine Picard (3)

1 IRIT-ELIPSE - Etude de L’Interaction Personne SystèmE
2 CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
3 AMU - Aix Marseille Université

Orientation and mobility are amongst the most important challenges for visually impaired people. Tactile maps can provide them with spatial knowledge of their environment, thereby reducing fear related to travelling in space. To date, raised-line paper maps have been used to make geographic information accessible, but these paper maps have significant limitations with regards to content and the presentation of information. Recent advances in technology may help to design usable interactive maps that overcome such limitations. In this paper, we first review different accessible map concepts. We then present our design of an interactive map prototype, and provide evidence of this interactive map’s high user satisfaction and efficiency as compared to a regular raised-line paper map. To conclude, we suggest that advances in interactive technologies (e.g., haptic touch surfaces) provide a unique opportunity to design usable maps in the near future.

Mots clés: Multi-touch; Accessibility; HCI; Interactive Maps; Map design; Visual Impairment

Domaines: Interface homme-machine [cs.HC]

Anke Brock, Bernard Oriola, Philippe Truillet, Christophe Jouffrais, Delphine Picard. Map design for visually impaired people: past, present, and future research. MEI - Médiation et information, 2013, Handicap et communication, pp.117-129. ⟨hal-01099497⟩