Tactile map is a multidimensional map (Frank, 1985). It use bump symbol and braille lettering to show the space distribution of entities and interconnectedness. The development of the tactile map get a wide attention and big support from governments, and it makes great progress. The research content of tactile map are the following. The tactility effect of the blind and low vision people, the capacity of tactile map, the symbol design of tactile map, tactile map annotation representation, Tactile map production of equipment and materials, the technique of the tactile map and the approach of tactile map. After the study of the blind tactility sensitivity, the conclusion is pointed out (Eugeue, 1999). The content of tactile map should not be too much, otherwise it will reduce the touch sensitivity of the blind. The height of dot and line is 0.1 mm, and no more than 0.15 mm. the line symbols are replaced by dotted line to identify for the blind easily, and the solid line is not easy to identify. The blind to touch the width of the street is less than 0.76 mm, and the optimum is 0.51 mm. Transformation of concave and convex symbol height and width can help the blind read figure. Tactile maps can use different levels of graphical representation in order to improve the tactility of the blind and the low vision people by adopting the line of different types and different widths, points of different size, different font and size and different graphical symbols. Generally the materials of tactile map have fiber glass , polyester fiber and thermal powder resin. The particle size of the glass have a big influence on the tactility. when its diameter is less than 0.18 mm, particle sense is very strong, which is not suitable for the large breadth. The medium size of glass particle can form a smooth feeling and have a better effect. The length of polyester fiber is best by 0.762 mm, and softness is better. Thermal powder resin is easy to form a smooth convex symbols, and height is 0.18 mm. The production technology of the tactile map generally adopt mental corrosion method, machine cartography and conventional mapping method. As for braille lettering problems in tactile map, the braille point should level reading, not lean and not shrink at random. The tactile map is generally monochrome, but for the low vision people, the tactile map is best with color and the normal also use it. Tactile map scale can be divided into two categories: for special education ,the blind and low vision people, tactile map scale should be smaller for the study and work; for the blind and low vision people, the tactile map scale should be bigger for actual life. In short, choose the different scales according to different purposes. The tactile map design reflect the care to the blind, and it is an important aspect of national spiritual civilization construction. Maps for school. Schools should provide some convenient designs for their life (Allison, 1998). When the wheelchair users enter the school, they need a map that can provide useful suggestions for them to arrive at destination. Life service space are mainly including dormitory, toilet and restaurant. The whole school is designed the centralized layout to try to shorten the trip distance. For example, the toilet should have the required area, sanitary appliance and auxiliary facilities. Such as fixed or portable armrest, manual or pedal product and distress call apparatus. According to the actual circumstances of the school should install some lifts, large slope and other auxiliary transportation facilities. At first, the restaurant is a main part. The traffic of restaurant is quite heavy in a special time period, and the layout of restaurant may be too crowded, which do not have the special space of resting and waiting. The wheelchair should be arranged the independent and regular table. To meet needs of the wheelchair users, the school should set up some the adjustable chairs and use soft protective pads in the restaurant that have some sharp edges to ensure safety of students. Then , the design of the dormitory is also a vital factors about the evaluation of the quality of map. Waiting space outside the dormitory can be used as a communication space, and with the help of the surrounding landscape and open gallery, the waiting can be as a resting area. The waiting area should pay attention to the difference of height, and should adopt the ramps and handrails to guide student to enter the dormitory. Maps for travel. |
