Guide
Accessible maps and way finding tools for low vision
Common types of accessible maps and way finding tools for low vision and blind users.
When I’m traveling or visiting a new/unfamiliar place as a person with low vision, it’s tremendously helpful to use accessible maps and wayfinding tools that can help assist me with orienting myself to my surroundings and planning routes to other areas of interest. This can be as simple as locating the nearest bathroom at a museum or as complex as locating a building on my college campus and then finding a classroom or event space. Wayfinding and map interpreting strategies are important for all people with visual impairments to develop and utilize, whether they use a mobility aid like a cane or guide dog or have a less-obvious visual impairment that can make indoor or outdoor navigation a challenge. Here is an overview of different types of accessible maps and wayfinding tools for low vision that are available, along with examples of how I have personally used them.
Tactile and high contrast maps
A portable tactile map booklet makes it easier for visitors to orient themselves in their environment and provides multiple maps for different areas of the venue to support navigation and route planning. Tactile maps incorporate enlarged text, high contrast graphics, tactile elements and braille, providing multiple options for accessing information. Ideally, the tactile map booklet would be made available to visitors on request and require either a refundable deposit or other form of collateral- many venues recommend having visitors call a phone number to request a booklet and to get additional information.
My first experience with the portable tactile and high contrast map booklets was when visiting Disney World. While I don’t read braille due to reduced tactile sensitivity in my hands, the large print and high contrast graphics made it easier for me to orient myself to my environment. Disney visitors can also request a digital copy of the tactile maps booklet by contacting Guest Relations- these files are not available publicly. I’ve included a photo below of an example large print map which features colored outlines and labels for park areas with the option to add a translucent braille overlay page.
Related links
- Information on Tactile Maps at Disney World (disney.go.com)
- Tips For Visiting Art Museums With Low Vision
Large-scale tactile maps
A large-scale map with tactile components can facilitate navigation for visitors with visual impairments and print disabilities by providing information about the surrounding area. Tactile components can include any embossing, engraving or differences in texture that signify a unique area of a given area, such as:
- Raised lines along paths/trails
- Recessed spots in bodies of water
- Raised shapes to signify buildings or rooms
In addition to tactile maps, some services will also provide portable tactile maps, a PDF map and other information that can be used to create custom maps with wayfinding applications. One example of an organization that provides these services is the MAD Lab based out of the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco, California, who created the maps for a museum I visited.
To learn more about tactile maps and developing skills to use them effectively, I recommend reading Jennifer Arnott’s post on Tactile Maps and Teaching Maps Skills posted on the Perkins School for the Blind website linked below.
Related links
- Tactile Images & Maps – LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired (lighthouse-sf.org)
- Tactile Maps and Teaching Maps Skills – Perkins School for the Blind
Digital maps in image/PDF formats
Single-page map files can be accessed on personal devices such as a phone, tablet or computer, with options for magnification, annotation, or printing/downloading the file for later use. Ideally, maps posted in this format will be similar to the ones available at a physical location and be posted in a high-resolution format that can be zoomed in/enlarged without having images or lines become pixelated. Using icons for non-readers and high contrast color schemes, along with text labels for areas of interest can make it easier for users to plan their visit or orient themselves to a new environment.
When possible, avoid uploading a photo of the physical map, as this may be displayed at a lower resolution or have shadows/glare from environmental lighting.
Related links
- How To Create High Resolution Images For Low Vision
- Choosing High Contrast Color Schemes For Low Vision
Visual interpreters
Visual assistance applications that use human visual interpreters allow users to stream one-way video and two-way audio to read text or get descriptions of objects from a visual interpreter or sighted person. Some applications require users to verbally communicate with visual interpreters, while others allow for typing questions or recording voice messages.
One example of a visual assistance application that uses professionally trained visual interpreters is Aira, which can provide directions for navigating indoor and outdoor spaces as well as read printed materials or provide descriptions of items in the environment. Visual interpreters have access to indoor and outdoor maps for various locations around the world, and businesses/organizations can partner with Aira to implement Aira Access locations that enable visitors to access the Aira service at no cost to them. The cost of setting up an Aira Access location will vary depending on several factors, though users can also purchase their own plans to use the Aira service anywhere they choose.
Related links
Speciality navigation apps
There are several smartphone applications available that are designed specifically for users with visual impairments, inclusive of low vision and blindness. They are designed specifically with pedestrians in mind, and provide turn-by-turn directions with options to get information about surrounding areas or nearby locations. Many of the specialty applications also provide options for organizations to create their own maps or add custom information that will display when users are in a specific location.
In my post “Smartphone Apps for Orientation and Mobility”, I share several examples of free and paid specialty navigation apps, including Loadstone GPS, BlindSquare and Lazarillo.
Related links
Beacons and alternatives for indoor navigation
GPS technology doesn’t work with indoor environments, but there are still strategies and tools that can be used for wayfinding indoors. The majority of these tools use beacons, which are small devices that are discreetly placed within an environment and enable users to get directions to different locations where beacons are placed. Some other tools will use other landmarking tools to label different areas.
Businesses and organizations typically partner with a wayfinding company, who will place the beacons and configure indoor mapping on their behalf. Once that is done, users will be able to download a free app to get directions from one location to another and view digital maps. For example, I visited an airport that had installed beacons to help with navigation and used an app to locate my gate, baggage claim and other areas of interest- I found out about the app when visiting the airport’s website.
Related links
Geocode systems
Geocode systems represent a geographic entity as a set of latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, and can be used to provide additional location information or shared with other wayfinding apps. One example is What3Words, a free service that generates geocodes with a resolution of 3 meters, which can then be opened with a GPS application or shared on a website or in a message to find, save, and share precise location information. I’ve used What3Words to provide address information over the phone since it reduces the likelihood that someone will copy the address wrong, and also created a list of What3Words geocodes for different spaces in an outdoor park that could be accessed online.
Related links
- what3words /// The simplest way to talk about location
- How To Create Accessible Map Charts For Low Vision
Custom digital maps with Google My Maps
Google My Maps provides free tools for users to create their own custom Google Maps and add additional details to an existing map, which can be saved to a Google account or shared publicly on a website or social media so others can access the map as well. Custom map features can include options for labeling points of interest such as landmarks or exhibits/buildings, icons for locating amenities, and provide additional navigation and visit information so users can plan their visits effectively. Google My Maps is only available for outdoor spaces that are viewable on Google Maps.
Related links
More resources on accessible maps and way finding tools for low vision
- The National Library Service for the Blind also has a published list of accessible maps and wayfinding tools, though some of the products listed are no longer available. GPS and Wayfinding Apps – National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) | Library of Congress (loc.gov)
- Want more information on orientation and mobility? Read Orientation And Mobility Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes (veroniiiica.com)
- This resource was originally compiled for EDAT 610: Designing Adapted Environments at George Mason University. All opinions and viewed expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the university or other employers. Inclusion of a resource or product/service is not intended as an endorsement or guarantee of availability/suitability for a given project.
By Veronica Lewis/Veronica With Four Eyes, www.veroniiiica.com
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