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Accessible Interactive Maps for Visually Impaired Users

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Mobility of Visually Impaired People

Abstract

Tactile maps are commonly used to give visually impaired users access to geographical representations. Although those relief maps are efficient tools for acquisition of spatial knowledge, they present several limitations and issues such as the need to read braille. Several research projects have been led during the past three decades in order to improve access to maps using interactive technologies. In this chapter, we present an exhaustive review of interactive map prototypes. We classified existing interactive maps into two categories: Digital Interactive Maps (DIMs) that are displayed on a flat surface such as a screen; and Hybrid Interactive Maps (HIMs) that include both a digital and a physical representation. In each family, we identified several subcategories depending on the technology being used. We compared the categories and subcategories according to cost, availability, and technological limitations, but also in terms of content, comprehension, and interactivity. Then we reviewed a number of studies showing that those maps can support spatial learning for visually impaired users. Finally, we identified new technologies and methods that could improve the accessibility of graphics for visually impaired users in the future.

Julie Ducasse and Anke Brock are both first co-authors and contributed equally to this chapter.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    http://prime.jsc.nasa.gov/earthplus/ [last accessed September 29th 2016].

  2. 2.

    http://geomagic.com/en/products/phantom-desktop/overview [last accessed September 29th 2016].

  3. 3.

    http://www.novint.com/index.php/novintfalcon [last accessed September 29th 2016].

  4. 4.

    https://www.openstreetmap.org [last accessed September 29th 2016].

  5. 5.

    http://www.audiotactile.ch/ [last accessed June 3rd 2016].

  6. 6.

    https://viewplus.com/product/iveo-hands-on-learning-system/ [last accessed June 3rd 2016].

  7. 7.

    2.5D has been defined in opposition to 2D (flat and without relief) and 3D (object). 2.1D is sometimes used to refer to relief with just one height. Braille cells are 2.1D devices because the raised pins can reach one position only.

  8. 8.

    http://www.hyperbraille.de/?lang=en [last accessed August 21st 2013].

  9. 9.

    http://reactable.com/.

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  1. IRIT, CNRS, Toulouse, France

    Julie Ducasse & Christophe Jouffrais

  2. IRIT, University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France

    Julie Ducasse & Christophe Jouffrais

  3. Potioc, Inria Bordeaux, Talence, France

    Anke M. Brock

  4. LaBRI, University Bordeaux, Talence, France

    Anke M. Brock

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    Edwige Pissaloux

  2. Universidad Panamericana, Aguascalientes, Mexico

    Ramiro Velazquez

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Ducasse, J., Brock, A.M., Jouffrais, C. (2018). Accessible Interactive Maps for Visually Impaired Users. In: Pissaloux, E., Velazquez, R. (eds) Mobility of Visually Impaired People. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54446-5_17

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