The East Anglian Sailing Trust contacted us to create sound-enabled, tactile coastal maps for their sailing trips with visually impaired (VI) and blind sailors. Able to participate in all other aspects of the boat, VI sailors were not able to assist in charting the course of the boat or ‘visualising’ the shape of the coastline from 2D charts.
These maps are the first of their kind in the world. Our tactile layer defines coastlines, sand bars, tributaries and significant crossings. With DiscoveryPEN technology, areas of note on the map contain and play back audio for interest and information. The maps allow VI and blind sailors to participate during a sailing trip in a way that has never been possible before.
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TouchSpot Audio can bring paper to life with DiscoveryPEN and tactile technology. Artwork, documents, maps, posters and even solid objects can be made accessible and inclusive in creative and innovate ways. Get in touch and let’s discuss how your projects could be more accessible for everyone.
TACTILE TALKING
COASTAL MAPS
East Anglian Sailing Trust, UK
SEE THE MAPS IN ACTION
The overview video below explores all the features of the coastal maps that makes them so unique.
Tim Thomas, curator of the project for East Anglia Sailing Trust, and VI sailor Simon Daws demonstrate the benefits of the coastal maps' tactile layer and audio description.