One of the newer devices you might notice in our library are the .
Originally designed by Makers Making Change mechanical engineer Stephan Dobri at the request of Orientation and Mobility (OM) specialists at Vision Loss Rehab Canada in BC, these 3D printed Tactile Maps are intended as a learning tool to help people with visual impairments learn how to navigate different intersections as a pedestrian, along with the accompanying traffic signs and signals.
OM specialists often use similar kinds of tactile maps with their clients, but usually clients can’t take them home. These 3D printed maps — which cost about $13 in supplies to make all six maps and the legend — can easily be taken home and used by clients to study independently.
These tactile maps can be particularly helpful for new immigrants with visual impairments, who may not be used to the same kinds of intersections and traffic signs. (For example, at a yield sign, cars might not necessarily stop, which can be confusing).
The maps, of which there are currently six designs (including the roundabout in the picture above), can be combined with feature pieces — with designs representing stop signs, yield signs, mailboxes, bus stops, bike lanes, stop signs, railroad tracks, and pedestrian crossings — to demonstrate generic intersections that you’re likely to come across. A 3D printed legend (image below) with Braille with reference to the feature pieces is also included. The maps are intended to be printed in contrasting colours for low-vision users.
All of the tactile maps have the road surface as the lowest surface, with any features raised above that. Painted pedestrian crossing lines are the second lowest feature and are raised to be felt by the user. Sidewalks and curbs are the third lowest feature, with curb cuts represented as gradual height increases and curbs as sudden changes in height (as they are in the real world). The feature pieces that can be slotted into the cut-outs on the sidewalks are the second highest level, allowing users to feel where and what a traffic sign may be. The highest feature on the map is a square in the top-right corner. This is used to orient the map and can represent North-East if planning a route.
These maps can be combined together to build out routes between places, by identifying the types of intersections they’d need to cross. (It is important to note, however, that the maps should be considered a rough guide only and should not be used alone for route planning and navigation. These maps aren’t built to scale, and are more representative of different types of intersections than how one might appear in reality.)
This post originally appeared on the Ìý·É±ð²ú²õ¾±³Ù±ð.