Embedded Files
Portland State University Tactile Map
Portland State University Tactile Map
The Portland State University tactile map is approximately 3 feet by 4 feet wide. It sits at an angle on a height adjustable table to allow ease of access for as many users as possible. A large, high contrast map of the Portland State University campus rests beneath clear acrylic sheets with tactile etchings. The majority of this map was created from one SVG file that was used for laser cutting, vinyl cutting, 3D printing, and more.
Key features include:
Relative height of buildings
High contrast print and braille labels for streets and buildings
Transit stops
Green areas, pedestrian areas, city streets, and freeways
Large print and braille map key with QR code linked to online information
You can read more about the map on the Portland State University website.
Manhattan Project National Historical Park - Hanford, Washington
Manhattan Project National Historical Park - Hanford, Washington
The Manhattan Project National Historic Park in Hanford, Washington offers visitors an up-close look at the US facilities used to produce plutonium during World War II. The Hanford Park has been working diligently to make all aspects of their park accessible. The park offers an audio described tour to provide blind visitors with detailed information about the site. The park also has a magnetic poetry wall with print and braille words that users can interact with and explore. The park's accessibility efforts are on-going, so check back to see what new amenities have been added!
The Hanford site's poster-size 3D tactile map complements their accessibility offerings by providing blind visitors with the information they'll need to independently explore the facilities. The map shows the path of travel for all 3 tour routes. Along the routes, points of interest are marked with yellow cylinder symbols. Key areas of the site are raised up above all the other map elements, so they can quickly be located and identified. Braille labels are provided for each area of the map, and high contrast colors were used to make the map easily readable for a variety of users.
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site - Mobility Matters 2021
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site - Mobility Matters 2021
These 4 tactile maps were created for a virtual-tour of spaces at Fort Vancouver, a historical site in Vancouver, Washington. The tour will be led by teachers from the Washington State School for the Blind, will be shared with attendees across United States as a part of the Mobility Matters Conference. Over 200 maps were printed and mailed to attendees, and anyone can print their own with these files.
The maps include tactile representations of the important features in each area. The tactile symbols are designed to be easily located and distinguished by blind learners.
Mobility Matters 2021 is hosted by Portland State University's Orientation & Mobility (O&M) and Visually Impaired Learning (VIL) Programs, supported by the American Printing House for the Blind, the National Park Service, and the Portland State University Digital City Testbed Center.
Interactive Tactile Maps
Interactive Tactile Maps
This collection of interactive 3D printed models was created as a part of a joint research project between Portland State University and Cornell Tech. Using the Markit and Talkit applications and a mobile device, these maps read annotations aloud to the user as they explore the map. The annotations are triggered by the user's finger, which is tracked using a red sticker, and the user can interact with the app verbally to access additional information about the various areas of interest on each map.
Mobility Matters 2019
Mobility Matters 2019
This collection of interactive and traditional tactile maps was created for the 2019 Mobility Matters conference at Portland State University. An interactive floor plan map of the conference area doubled as a conference schedule, with sessions detailed for each room. Another interactive map was used to explore the PSU library , with important features and amenities labeled. A series of small travel maps were also created to assist users in navigating downtown Portland as a part of the day's events.
Native American Tribes of Oregon Terrain Map Puzzle
Native American Tribes of Oregon Terrain Map Puzzle
This 19-piece topographical map roughly shows where various Native American tribes lived in, what is now, the state of Oregon. The puzzle pieces were printed in different colors according to the ecological region. This was used by an elementary school class studying Oregon's indigenous peoples.
Portland Community College Maps
Portland Community College Maps
These Portland Community College campus maps are small and ready to throw in your bag. The pictures below are some final prototypes, but these were eventually printed with 4 high-contrast colors to make the paths and print easier to read. The folding Sylvania map has stairs, doors, and elevators marked with tactile symbols. A QR-code sticker adhered to the back, sends users to the PCC Access Map for additional campus and building information.
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