Published September 2, 2024

Enhancing Accessibility of Outdoor Environments for Visually

Tactile maps empower the visually impaired to navigate outdoor spaces independently and confidently.

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Enhancing Accessibility of Outdoor Environments for Visually

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Brown Dog Gadgets Maker Tape (1/4")

Blues Notecard (Cellular)

Arduino UNO

SIMCom Wireless Solutions SIM68M

9V battery (generic)

Story

Tactile Maps for Enhancing Outdoor Accessibility

Tactile maps are an effective tool for improving the accessibility of outdoor environments for visually impaired individuals. These maps allow users to explore and understand the layout of an area through touch, providing critical spatial information that enables independent navigation.

Key Features of Tactile Maps

Raised lines and textures represent paths, buildings, and other landmarks, allowing users to feel the map's contents.
Braille labels and raised symbols identify specific locations and provide additional information.
Tactile compasses or orientation indicators help users orient the map and determine cardinal directions.
Tactile scale bars and legends provide context about the map's size and content.

Benefits of Tactile Maps

Increased independence in exploring and navigating outdoor spaces.
Improved spatial awareness and ability to form mental maps of the environment.
Enhanced safety by allowing users to plan routes and identify potential obstacles or hazards in advance.
Fostered inclusion by providing visually impaired individuals with the same navigational information as sighted users.

Considerations for Effective Tactile Maps

Careful design to ensure clear, easy-to-interpret tactile features.
Durable, weather-resistant materials suitable for outdoor use.
Strategically placed maps at key locations, such as entrances and decision points.
Availability of assistance for users unfamiliar with tactile maps or the specific environment.

By incorporating tactile maps into outdoor environments, visually impaired individuals can navigate more confidently, explore new areas, and fully participate in outdoor activities, ultimately enhancing their quality of life and independence.

Code

code

python
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import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import matplotlib.patches as patches
from shapely.geometry import Point, Polygon
from matplotlib.patches import PathPatch
from matplotlib.path import Path

# Define a function to create a tactile map plot
def create_tactile_map(polygons, points_of_interest, output_file):
    fig, ax = plt.subplots()

    # Plot polygons (e.g., trails or regions)
    for polygon in polygons:
        patch = PolygonPatch(polygon, facecolor='gray', edgecolor='black', alpha=0.5)
        ax.add_patch(patch)

    # Plot points of interest
    for point, label in points_of_interest:
        plt.plot(point.x, point.y, 'ro')  # Red dot for POI
        plt.text(point.x, point.y, label, fontsize=8, ha='right')

    ax.set_aspect('equal')
    plt.axis('off')

    # Save the plot to a file
    plt.savefig(output_file, format='png', dpi=300)

    plt.show()

# Example data
# Define polygons for trails or areas (coordinates in some unit)
polygons = [
    Polygon([(1, 2), (3, 4), (5, 2), (1, 2)]),
    Polygon([(6, 6), (8, 9), (10, 6), (6, 6)])
]

# Define points of interest with labels
points_of_interest = [
    (Point(2, 3), 'Trailhead'),
    (Point(7, 7), 'Scenic Viewpoint')
]

# Create a tactile map
create_tactile_map(polygons, points_of_interest, 'tactile_map.png')

Credits

Faraz Ahmad

1 project • 1 follower

Enhancing Accessibility of Outdoor Environments for Visually

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Story

Tactile Maps for Enhancing Outdoor Accessibility

Key Features of Tactile Maps

Benefits of Tactile Maps

Considerations for Effective Tactile Maps

Schematics

image

Code

code

Credits

Faraz Ahmad

Comments

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Enhancing Accessibility of Outdoor Environments for Visually

Enhancing Accessibility of Outdoor Environments for Visually

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Story

Tactile Maps for Enhancing Outdoor Accessibility

Key Features of Tactile Maps

Benefits of Tactile Maps

Considerations for Effective Tactile Maps

Schematics

image

Code

code

Credits

Faraz Ahmad

Comments

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