scholarly journals The Specifics of Cartographic Semiology in Tactile Maps

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Alena Vondrakova ◽  
Radek Barvir ◽  
Jan Brus
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Blind People ◽  
Target User ◽  
Map Symbol ◽  
Tactile Maps ◽  
Blind Persons ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Spatial information became ordinary for everyday life, for example in different kinds of maps. The majority of maps are produced for reading with eyes. Nevertheless, people with visual impairment, including blind people, perceive the world differently and have an insufficient amount of possible ways how to investigate the surroundings.</p><p>Creating a tactile map for people with visual impairment and blind people is conceptually different, more expensive and more difficult comparing to normal maps. This is why researches in cartography focus the question how spatial information can be effectively presented to visually impaired people using modern technologies.</p><p>One of the solutions seems to be progress in modern 3D tactile-cartography linkable to the mobile device, such as smartphones and tablets. The modern mobile technologies with the internet connection and GNSS navigation brought new possibilities how to convert spatial information into voice quickly. Navigations use vibrations to provide the actual information, and other technologies help to make the 3D presentations of the geospace more accessible.</p><p>At the Department of Geoinformatics, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Czechia, several tactile maps were produced under the leadership of Vit Vozenilek, both interactive and non-interactive ones.</p><p>Cartographic semiology deals with a theory of cartographic symbols and their use. This theory is based primarily on the general semiology (the science of symbols), theoretical cartography, information theory, cybernetics and engineering psychology. To the various disciplines of semiology belong semantics, which represents the relation between the map symbol to the content what it means, sigmatics, which defines the relationship of map symbols to the function expressed in terms of real content, syntactic, which describes the interactions of map symbols, grammar, that deals with the composition rule and specifies the map symbol to the system, and pragmatics, which describes the relationship of users to the map symbol system. It is necessary to design and apply specific methods of cartographic visualization that will be suitable for persons who are blind or have a serious visual impairment. Therefore, there is a significant need for adaptation to the target user needs.</p><p>Analogically to the traditional cartography, the fundamental unit of tactile cartographic semiology is a tactile map symbol. Comparing to conventional map symbol the tactile map symbols have an extra specific 3D features, including the vertical dimension, roughness and texture. The specific design of the tactile map symbol depends on the applied technology – special tactile paper printers, plastic foils, metal engravings or modern type of 3D printing technology. Characteristics of tactile map symbols are used with regard to the possibilities of these technologies as well as in relation to the needs of the target group of users.</p><p>Within the project <i>Perception of the geospace by the modern type of tactile maps</i> the sampler designed characters by 51 respondents (31 blind persons and 20 persons with hard visually impairments) was tested. There were examples of different lines, different textures and point map symbols (Fig. 3). Part of these symbols was identified by respondents as most satisfactory, some of the characters were identified as unsatisfactory. These were mainly badly recognisable structures, lines unrecognisable by touch, confusing dotting, etc.</p><p>During the implementation of the project <i>Development of independent movement through tactile-auditory aids</i>, the gained knowledge was applied to the production of modern, tactile maps linked to the mobile technology (smartphone, tablet, etc.). Because the modern tactile maps using TouchIt3D technology (Barvir, 2017; Barvir et al., 2018) require many different sizes of 3D map objects, also the map symbols have to be different.</p><p>Preliminary results of the user testing provide new information about map symbol perception by people with visual impairment, using a new type of 3D tactile maps created with TouchIt3D technology. Testing and prototyping are ongoing, and the conference contribution will bring the latest research results.</p></p>

scholarly journals Toward Accessible Hazard Mapping: Tactile Risk Maps and Disaster Preparedness

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Harrison Cole
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Management ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Hazard Mapping ◽  
Risk Maps ◽  
Risk Visualization ◽  
Tactile Maps

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> The near future of our planet under climate change is predicted to be characterized by increasingly frequent and severe natural hazards of all kinds. Understanding the potential spatial extent and impacts of these hazards is a critical component of creating effective emergency management plans, not just on the part of emergency managers and relief organizations, but also for those who may reside in areas vulnerable to disaster. Often, information about disaster risk is communicated using maps, such as in the case of storm surge maps, evacuation zone maps or wildfire extent maps. While generally helpful, these maps are of limited use to those with low vision or blindness, and the information is rarely, if ever, distributed in accessible formats. Furthermore, in contrast to wayfinding maps, this type of information does not lend itself to being translated into a set of instructions to be read aloud by a test-to-speech device. Instead, risk maps are useful because they allow users to identify and assess spatial relationships between many features on the maps- a key process that would be muddled if the maps were to be verbally described, and thus a process that is currently inaccessible to those who cannot see the maps. As people with visual impairments are especially vulnerable in disaster scenarios, working towards the universal accessibility of spatial information is imperative for inclusive disaster preparedness and hazard mitigation.</p><p>Many challenges exist in creating maps for people with visual impairments. The most obvious is the fact that a visual medium cannot be used by someone who is unable to see. It is important to note that “visual impairment” covers a broad spectrum of conditions from pronounced myopia to complete blindness. Here, I will be limiting my topical scope to people with total or near-total blindness. Tactile maps are the tool of choice for this population. However, it is generally harder to distinguish between similar patterns using touch than using sight, so features on a tactile map need to be unique and unambiguous. This makes it more challenging to communicate information typically represented using color gradients or transparency. Additionally, distributing spatial information in tactile form poses another layer of complications. There are several options for creating tactile maps, from embossed paper to 3D printing, and each come with their own advantages and drawbacks. Cost, speed and detail all vary among these media, and thus each potentially impact the user’s perception of risk.</p><p> In my talk, I will be examining these challenges as they intersect with research on cartographic risk visualization, emergency management, and tactile maps in general. First, I will briefly discuss the state of risk visualization in the context of emergency management, focusing on preparedness. Then, I will give a general overview of the extant research on tactile maps with particular attention paid to their influence on spatial cognition. Next, I will examine how the considerations particular to risk map creation are affected by the potentials and limitations of tactile maps. Finally, I will outline a research agenda for creating and distributing accessible maps for emergency management. Using visual impairment and tactile maps as starting points, I will identify further aspects of emergency management that urgently require greater attention to accessibility, and how cartographic research and technology can help bridge those gaps.</p><p> Planning for natural hazards is an essential step in mitigating their impacts on communities, and that process includes individual citizens making their own plans for evacuation, finding shelter or securing food, water or medicine. This is especially important for people with disabilities, as resources deployed after a disaster may fail to accommodate their particular needs, and processes such as evacuating a building or house can take substantially longer than average. Planning for these scenarios is made all the more difficult for people with visual impairments, as conventional maps are unhelpful, and environmental awareness is limited. Thus, empowering people with visual impairments to make emergency plans for themselves and contribute to planning for their community as a whole can help build autonomy and self-confidence and ultimately ensure that disaster plans truly account for everyone.</p>

scholarly journals TouchIt3D: Technology (not only) for Tactile Maps

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Radek Barvir ◽  
Alena Vondrakova ◽  
Jan Brus
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Spatial Context ◽  
User Needs ◽  
The Real ◽  
Visually Impaired People ◽  
Impaired People ◽  
Map Symbol ◽  
Tactile Maps

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> The majority of information has a spatial context that can be represented on the map, while maps are presenting the real world in the simplified and generalised way, focusing on the key features or specific topic. For some kinds of users, the map as the representation of the real spatial context is not only the possibility but also the necessity. Among these people belong people with visual impairments.</p><p> The number of visually impaired people increases every year and to their full-fledged integration into society is devoted considerable attention. But People with visual impairments are the target group with specific user needs, and the conventional map is insufficient for them. Along the growing number of visually impaired people importance of tactile cartography is increasing.</p><p> Currently, there are many technologies used for creating tactile maps, including very primitive and cheap solutions as well as advanced methods. The simplest way is drawing on the hand which brings only the real-time perception which needs to memorise for next uses. Another technique of hand embroidery consists of thick fibre placed on the cardboard or different paper type. More accurate is drawing on a special paper for blind or using dense colour gels. Also, some kinds of machinery producing technologies are used, e.g: shaping carton, plastic or metal. Braille printers can produce not very complicated tactile maps using 3D dots. Similar results can be obtained using serigraphy. Very popular is printing on heat-sensitive paper as mentioned before in the case of haptic maps by Mapy.cz. Another possibility is to use rubberized colours and nowadays popular technology of 3D printing (Vozenilek and Ludikova, 2010).</p><p> At the Department of Geoinformatics, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Czechia, the research team developed prototypes and methodology for the creation of the modern type of 3D tactile maps, linkable with mobile devices (Barvir et al., 2018).Interactive tactile maps connectable with mobile devices bring new opportunities to develop tactile map production. The prototypes have been verified in practice in cooperation with educational centres for people with visual impairment and blind people, and special schools. It is comprehensive research focusing a lot of scientific challenges. The contribution would like to summarise the most significant findings of the research.</p><p> The developed TouchIt3D technology is based on linking 3D objects, such as tactile maps, 3D models, controls, etc., with a mobile tablet or mobile phone using a combination of conductive and non-conductive filament. Each model is linked to an individual mobile application layout that initiates a pre-action based on user suggestions done within touching the model. For example, such an action may be a vibration or a speech command when the person with visual impairment touch inappropriate map symbol. As example can be introduced a listing of current public transport departures after the user touches the bus-stop map symbol on the 3D transport terminal plan. Data can be acquired in real time via Internet as the tablet can be connected to WiFi or cellular network. TouchIt3D technology is primarily focused on the presentation of spatial data and navigation for the public, people with visual or other impairment.</p><p> There are two ways how to create such tactile map. The first way is to prepare all the data manually. Another approach is the semi-automatic workflow. This approach is significantly different from previous workflows of producing maps for people with visual impairment. The solution based on the open-source and free software and data together with sharing electronic part of the map in the form of tablet dramatically lowered costs of tactile maps production. The designed scripts and models also reduced the time necessary to spend by map designing up to a minimum. User testing provided all data required for the improvement, and maximal adaptation of the cartographic visualisation methods to the target user needs. Nevertheless, maps partly automatically done and based on crowdsourcing data cannot bring the same quality as individually made tactile maps.</p><p> The main aim of the research is to find a workflow of interactive tactile maps creation using the TouchIt3D technology. The research also deals with setting appropriate parameters of the map, e.g. the map scale, cartographic symbol size, map content etc. This optimisation is done to fit the needs of people with visual impairment as much as possible on the one hand and taking into account the limitations of the map creation possibilities.</p><p>This research is implemented within the project <i>Development of independent movement through tactile-auditory aids</i>, Nr. TL01000507, supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic.</p>

Assessing the Readiness of Blind Persons for Vocational Placement

1974 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-60
Author(s):  
Edouard L. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Graduates ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Intensive Training ◽  
Congenitally Blind ◽  
Vocational Goals ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Blind Persons ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship of work to the needs—especially psychological—of clients is explored. It is concluded that full evaluation and testing of the individual should he used to develop a specific rehabilitation program for him. Such a program might include intensive training and counseling, as in the case of most congenitally blind high school graduates, preparatory to placement or placement early in the program where the role played by work itself is an important part of the person's rehabilitation. The problem of individuals with unrealistic vocational goals is also discussed.

scholarly journals The Portuguese Maritime Voyages of Discovery: the exploration of the history of a city with an App as an educational resource

2019 ◽  
pp. 85-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cláudia Faria ◽  
Elsa Guilherme ◽  
Joaquim Pintassilgo ◽  
Maria João Mogarro ◽  
Ana Sofia Pinho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Collaborative Work ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
School Students ◽  
History Of ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The City

In this paper we present an evaluation of an App for mobile devices, ‘Roteiro dos Descobrimentos’, as an educational digital resource for primary school students. The study involved the participation of 131 students and eight teachers. Data were collected from participant observation, students’ questionnaires and interviews to students and teachers. According to students, they learned new things, related with the topics explored, in an easy and funny way. Students also emphasized as positive aspects the fact that they had to face different challenges and the need to mobilize their knowledge to solve them. Teachers referred that students showed great interest and enthusiasm during the activities. As main gains, teachers stressed that the application fosters the relationship of students with the city, facilitates collaboration, and promotes students’ autonomy. In resume, it seems that the playful and interactive dimension of the App promoted the development of important skills such as the ability to interact with the environment, collaborative work, autonomy, and reading and interpretation skills. As a conclusion, there is a great receptivity to integrate mobile technologies in the teaching and learning process, but the role of the teacher can’t be dismissed, as a mediator and educator.

Unlocking Lifelong Learning Through E-Heritage

2012 ◽  
pp. 80-97
Author(s):  
Krassimira Paskaleva ◽  
Maurizio Megliola
Keyword(s):  
Lifelong Learning ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Community Resources ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Leisure And Recreation ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The City

Lifelong learning is often associated with the sociology and the economics of education. However, its broader and more holistic context, which includes learning through involvement in cultural activities, tourism, leisure, and recreation, is much less known. The relationship of this term to the rapidly changing world of Information and Communication Technologies and to various conceptions of interaction is also worthy of further investigation. This article seeks to shed light on that theme by presenting a novel IT platform involving mobile technologies that can enhance access and consumption of cultural heritage community resources. Drawing on material from the ISAAC European project, the article demonstrates how lifelong m-learning can be supported by an integrated e-destination platform that enables the user to build content and engage with that through a variety of applications over time. It concludes with a demonstrator system for the city of Genoa, Italy, to highlight the pathways to change.

Mobile phone appropriation in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana de Souza e Silva ◽  
Daniel M. Sutko ◽  
Fernando A. Salis ◽  
Claudio de Souza e Silva
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Cell Phones ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Power Relationships ◽  
The Social ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

This qualitative case study describes the social appropriation of mobile phones among low-income communities in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) by asking how favela (slum) residents appropriate cell phones. Findings highlight the difficulty these populations encounter in acquiring and using cell phones due to social and economic factors, and the consequent subversive or illegal tactics used to gain access to such technology. Moreover, these tactics are embedded in and exemplars of the cyclic power relationships between high-and low-income populations that constitute the unique use of mobile technologies in these Brazilian slums. The article concludes by suggesting that future research on technology in low-income communities focus instead on the relationship of people to technology rather than a dichotomization of their access or lack thereof.

Meeting the Vocational Needs of the Older Blind Person

1975 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 218-225
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Dickey
Keyword(s):  
Older Workers ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Blind Person ◽  
Past Work ◽  
Placement Services ◽  
Blind Persons ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The vocational placement of blind persons who are 65 years of age or older presents the counselor with an unusual challenge. The statistical data on the desirability of hiring older workers is reviewed, along with pointers on responding to employers’ objections. Older blind persons who desire remunerative employment fall into four groups, each requiring a different level of placement services: minimal, average, sheltered, and special. The relationship of past work experience to new job possibilities is also explored.

scholarly journals Tactile maps – Finnish O&M instructors’ experiences on usability and accessibility

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stina Ojala ◽  
Riitta Lahtinen ◽  
Helinä Hirn
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Electronic Mail ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Survey Questionnaire ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Independent Travel ◽  
Tactile Maps ◽  
Consistent Information

For a person with a visual impairment, the quality of life means independence and equality with the sighted people. For this, independent travel and navigation is essential. Orientation within different types of environments is a challenge and tactile maps are key elements for this. It can also be used for learning about new routes independently. A tactile map is an image of spatial information and figure that uses raised lines and surfaces when introducing a certain area in 3D form. For a public tactile map to be useful, it has to contain consistent information for the user. In this study we present results from a survey for the orientation and mobility (O&M) instructors of Finland about usability and ideas for improvement concerning public tactile maps. We sent the survey questionnaire for 30 O&M instructors by electronic mail and there was also a possibility to answer by paper. Altogether we received 24 answers. The main finding was that most of the O&M instructors did not use public tactile maps during the sessions.

CARTOGRAFIAS GEOGRÁFICAS: O QUE PODE UM MAPA...

GEOgraphia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (41) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Djeovani Roos ◽  
Cláudio Benito Oliveira Ferraz
Keyword(s):  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Geographic Thought ◽  
Palabras Clave ◽  
De Se ◽  
The World ◽  
Mapping Process ◽  
Freight Forwarding ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Resumo: Pensar o mapa é pensá-lo como o agenciamento de forças, de linhas/corpos que se afetam e apontam para sentidos de localização e orientação espacial. Desdobra-se que os mapas não se restringem a representação plana da superfície terrestre, logo, há outras formas de se relacionar e vivenciar as representações que o processo de mapeamento promove. A espacialidade constitui-se na multiplicidade, e a relação da cartografia deve estar inclusa nessa maleabilidade espacial, sendo o mapa o próprio acontecer do mundo. O que faz de um ser um mapa é uma das prerrogativas eloquentes que recaem sobre o processo de mapeamento. Assim, intentamos que capturar e mostrar informação espacial são modos de apreensão de um possível do que faz uma imagem cartográfica ser um mapa. Realça-se que os sentidos deste trabalho situam-se no intuito de pensar sobre as possibilidades e potencialidades referentes aos processos cartográficos e à criação de mapas. Buscando deslocar o pensamento cartográfico, friccionando as suas dimensões comunicativa e informativa à qual ela se vincula atualmente. A potência que se instaura aqui é instigar o pensamento na relação dos mapas com a produção artística; enquanto obra de arte não se fixa representativamente, mas é um instigador de processos possíveis. O mural “Polimorfia Fronteiriça”, exposto na FCH/UFGD, entra aqui como um possível na articulação com o pensamento geográfico e cartográfico, em que os mapas se vislumbram na contingencialidade criativa do pensar/viver o mundo enquanto lugar.Palavras-chave: Mapa. Cartografias geográficas. Multiplicidades. Pensamento geográfico. GEOGRAPHICAL CARTOGRAPHY: WHAT CAN A MAP... Abstract: Think the map is think of it as the freight forwarding, forces of lines/bodies affect and point to senses of place and spatial orientation. Unfolds that the maps are not restricted to flat representation of the Earth’s surface, so there are other ways to relate and experience the representations that the mapping process promotes. The spatiality is constituted in the multiplicity and the relationship of cartography should be included in the suppleness and the spatial map of the world happen himself. What makes a map is one of the prerogatives eloquent that fall on the mapping process. Thus, we capture and show spatial information are modes of apprehension of a possible of what makes an image be a cartographic map. Emphasises that the directions of this work are in order to think about the possibilities and potentialities for the Cartographic processes and creating maps. Seeking to shift cartographic thought, rubbing their communicative and informational dimensions to which she links these days. The power which introduces here is instigating the thought in relationship of maps with artistic production; While artwork is not fixed but representatively is an instigator of possible processes. The mural “Polimorfia Fronteiriça”, exposed on FCH/UFGD, comes here as a possible in conjunction with the geographic and cartographic thought, in which the maps are glimpsing at contingencialidade creative thinking/living the world while place. Keywords: Map. Geographical Cartography. Multiplicities. Geographic Thought. CARTOGRAFÍA GEOGRÁFICA: QUÉ PUEDE UN MAPA... Resumen: Creo que el mapa es pensar como el manejo de fuerzas, de líneas y órganos afecta y sentidos de lugar y orientación espacial. Revela que los mapas no se limitan a la representación plana de la superficie terrestre, como hay otras formas de relacionar y las representaciones que promueve el proceso de asignación de experiencia. La espacialidad se constituye en la multiplicidad y la relación de la cartografía se debe incluir en este espacio flexible y el mapa del mundo se suceden. Lo que hace que un mapa es una de las prerrogativas elocuentes que caen en el proceso de asignación. Así, capturar y mostrar información espacial son modos de aprehensión de un posible de lo que hace que una imagen sea un mapa cartográfico. Hace hincapié en que las instrucciones de este trabajo son para pensar acerca de las posibilidades y potencial de los procesos cartográficos y crear mapas. Buscando cambiar el pensamiento cartográfico, frotando su dimensión comunicativa e informativa a la que se vincula. La energía que se presenta aquí es promover el pensamiento en la relación de los mapas con la producción artística; mientras que el arte no es fijo pero representativo es un instigador de procesos posibles. El mural “Polimorfia Fronteiriça”, expuesto en FCH/UFGD, viene aquí como un posible junto con el pensamiento geográfico y cartográfico, en que el encuentro mapas contingencialidade creativo pensamiento estar del mundo mientras al lugar. Palabras-clave: Mapa. Cartografía Geográfica. Multiplicidad. Pensamiento Geográfico.

Geography and tourism: difference and common interests

10.12737/3403 ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-15
Author(s):  
Александр Зырянов ◽  
Aleksandr Zyryanov
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Information ◽  
Travel Planning ◽  
Research Problems ◽  
Common Interests ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship of geography and tourism are considered. With interelations of these spheres each of them has its own views. Typical cases of there misunderstanding are described. The differences in approaches with respect to the spatial information, in formulation in research problems and in the travel planning are explained.

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