Tactile Maps
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About Ability Project Tactile Maps
Tactile Maps Style Guide and Workflow
About the Ability Project Tactile Maps
The Ability Project Tactile Maps are designed to improve the navigation experience for commonly used facilities. These maps are located to the right of the entrance on the counter-cabinet that runs the length of the studio. These tactile maps can be used along with the Navigation and mobility guides created to help visitors understand the space and plan their visit.
Map Features
Material
Each map is a letter sized document printed on swell touch paper or tactile graphics embosser paper.
Labeling and Layout
At the top right of the paper, there is a symbol for page orientation. The title of the space being navigated is located at the left top of the page. Maps are at the center of the paper. Tactile maps include a Key that describes the symbols used in the map. All information on the map is in Braille and text.
Scan the QR Code
Tactile maps include a QR Code that directs towards a detailed description of the navigation and map description. This can be used with screen readers to navigate the tactile maps with audio, as an alternative to Braille or text.
The QR code is tangible with a tactile outline of a square with three little squares inside of it: two are at the top corners and one at the bottom left corner.
Printing Maps
Maps are available for download and printing for your own use. Maps are designed in black/white scale in a letter paper size of 11 x 8.5 inches (close equivalent to A4, 21.0 x 29.7 cm). The designs are suitable for Swell Form Machine, but It can be also printed for Braille and Tactile Graphics Embosser. The design formats are not optimized for 3D printing.
Maps to download:
- Ability Project – Downloadable as: PDF, PNG, SVG
- Ability Project Studio – Downloadable as: PDF, PNG, SVG
- Restrooms – Downloadable as: PDF, PNG, SVG
- Third-floor Stairs– Downloadable as: PDF, PNG, SVG
- Key – Third-floor Stairs – Downloadable as: PDF, PNG, SVG
Tactile Maps Style Guide and workflow
The style guide and workflow are a set of recommendations for designing and printing paper-based (Swell Form Machine and Braille Embosser) hand-held tactile maps. Hopefully, with this document, you will be able to create a simple workflow for tactile maps, improve accessibility and aid in navigating a space. A full writeup of this project has been published to medium.
Design Guidelines for Hand-held Tactile Maps – Downloadable as: PDF [with Visuals], Docx [TEXT ONLY]
Workflow for Designing Hand-held Tactile Maps – Downloadable as: PDF [with Visuals], Docx [TEXT ONLY]
These maps are a work in progress. Any feedback is welcome.
Tactile Maps Descriptions
Ability Project
Layout
Map describes the facilities inside the Ability Project, including the main entrance also known as the Studio, the office, laboratory and classroom.
The map is oriented vertically. To position the page correctly, use the orientation symbol: three diagonal lines at the top right corner. In the case of the braille embosser, the orientation symbol is a cross. The title of the map is positioned at the top left of the page. Each braille text is also available in letter text. The map is positioned at the top half section of the paper.
The bottom half of the page includes a QR Code and a Key, each framed on an outline rectangle. The QR Code is positioned at the bottom left section of the page. The Key includes symbols that provide information to help in navigation: the locations of the facilities, the use of the NYU card reader and shape and position of furniture.
Description of symbols used in the map:
- Wall – Continuous line
- Path – Dash line
- Card Reader – Embossed texture rectangle
- Furniture – Items: chair, desks, sofa, etc. with a medium tactile embossed texture.
- QR Code – Outline of a square with three embossed small squares at the top two corners and one at the bottom left corner.
Map description:
The Ability Project (AP) Studio connects with Dr. Amy Hurst’s office, the Laboratory and Classroom. To begin the navigation, locate the icon that identifies the card reader (swell small rectangle). Starting from the AP entrance, the card reader is located to the right and just outside the space. Inside of the AP studio, after passing the entrance door, there is a sitting area to the left with two sets of quarter-circle lounge couches with circular tables in front of them. On the right of the studio, there is a counter-cabinet that runs the length of the room. The furniture is represented by the shape of the furniture with a medium tactile embossed texture.
The first door, straight ahead, is Dr. Hurst’s office. Next to this office, on the left, is a second door. This is the entrance to the Laboratory. To the left of that space, you will find the entrance to the Classroom.
Ability Project Studio
Layout
The Ability Project Studio tactile map describes the main entrance space and the path to enter the office, laboratory and classroom.
The map is oriented vertically. To position the page correctly, use the orientation symbol: three diagonal lines at the top right corner(in case of the braille emboser is a cross). The title of the map is positioned at the top left of the page. Each braille text is also available in letter text. The map is positioned at the left section of the paper.
The right side of the page includes the QR Code and Key, each framed on an outline rectangle. The QR Code is positioned at the top right section of the page. The Key includes symbols that provide information to help in navigation: locations of doors, path, the use of the NYU card reader and shape and position of furniture.
Description of symbols used in the map:
- Wall – Continuous line
- Path – Dash line
- Door – Circle within another circle. On a Braille embosser map, this is an outline of a circle.
- Card Reader – Embossed texture rectangle
- Furniture – Items: chair, desks, sofa, etc. with a medium tactile embossed texture.
- QR Code – Outline of a square with three embossed small squares at the top two corners and one at the bottom left corner.
Map description:
The Ability Project (AP) Studio connects with Dr. Amy Hurst’s office, the Laboratory and Classroom. To begin the navigation, locate the icon that identifies the card reader (swell small rectangle). Starting from the AP entrance, the card reader is located to the right and just outside the space. The path takes you from the card reader to the AP Studio. After passing the entrance door, there is a sitting area to the left with two sets of quarter-circle lounge couches with circular tables in front of them. On the right of the Studio, there is a counter-cabinet that runs the length of the room. The furniture is represented by the shape of the furniture with a medium tactile embossed texture.
To continue to any of the facilities inside the Ability Project, follow the path from the entrance and crossing the Studio.The first door, straight ahead, is Dr. Hurst’s office. Next to this office, on the left, is a second door. This is the entrance to the Laboratory. To the left of that space you will find the entrance to the Classroom.
Restrooms
Layout
The Restrooms tactile map describes getting from the Ability Project to the closest single-occupancy and accessible restrooms.
The map is oriented vertically. To position the page correctly, use the orientation symbol at the top right corner of the paper. The title of the map is positioned at the top left side of the page. Each braille text is also available in letter text. The map is positioned at the left half section of the paper.
The right half of the page includes a Key and a QR Code. The QR Code is positioned at the top right side of the page.The Key includes symbols that provide information to help in navigation: locations of doors, path, the use of the NYU card reader and restrooms.
Description of symbols used in the map:
- Wall – Continuous line
- Path – Dash line
- Door – Circle within another circle. On a Braille embosser map, this is an outline of a circle.
- Card Reader – Embossed texture rectangle
- Ability Project’s’ location – Outline of a triangle
- Furniture – Items: chair, desks, sofa, etc. with a medium tactile embossed texture.
- QR Code – outline of a square with three embossed dots at the top two corners and one at the bottom left corner.
- Restroom – Oval with a rectangle above and a base line below (toilet shape symbol) For the Braille Embosser: Outline of a horizontal twisted or serpentine shaped curve.
Map description:
To start the navigation to the restrooms from the Ability Project, find the outline of a triangle that locates the AP on the map. The path navigates you straight ahead to the hallway where the restrooms are located. Follow the path to find the restroom doors on your left. There are two single-occupancy restrooms. The second restroom includes a changing table.
Third-floor Stairs
Layout
The Third Floor Stairs tactile map describes how to get from the Ability Project to one of the stairs accessing the third floor. These stairs are located between the elevators and the entrance to the third floor facilities and connect you to all the floors in the building.
To position the page correctly, use the orientation symbol. The title of the map is positioned at the top left of the page. Each Braille text is also available in letter text. The map is positioned at the center of the paper. The QR Code is at the bottom right of the page. The Key is on a separate paper. The Key includes symbols that provide information to help in navigation: name of the space, the locations of doors, paths, the use of the NYU card to enter to the third floor from elevators and stairs.
Description of symbols used in the map:
- Wall – Continuous line
- Path – Dash line
- Door – Circle within another circle. On a Braille embosser map, this is an outline of a circle.
- Card Reader – Embossed texture rectangle
- Ability Project’s’ location – Outline of a triangle
- Furniture – Items: chair, desks, sofa, etc. with a medium tactile embossed texture.
- QR Code – Outline of a square with three embossed dots at the top two corners and one at the bottom left corner.
- Restroom – Outline of a horizontal twisted or serpentine shaped curve.
- Stairs – Horizontal line followed by a vertical line pattern. Similar to a zig-zag outline.
- Elevator – Rectangle with an “X” crossing from corner to the corner. On a Braille embosser, this is a rectangle outline.
Map description:
To start the navigation to the Stairs from the Ability Project, locate the triangle that indicates the AP Studio. Follow the path from that triangle to the Stairs. The Stairs are located between the entrance to third floor facilities and the entrance to the women’s restrooms and elevator areas.