SYSTEM

TALKING TACTILE MAPS FOR THE BLIND

REQUIREMENT

The Visually challenged ( Blind ) persons have difficulty in moving in new areas. They have a great need to know about their surroundings especially in large complexes and buildings. This design helps the Blind to improve their mobility, Integration and unaided understanding of their surroundings like a building / area layout through a tactile layout of the area along with interactive 'voice' information. The combination of tactile layout and voice output helps provide clarity and directions for mobility to the blind. The blind persons can move easily in new areas with help of such Tactile layout maps with greater confidence and without barriers.

TARGET AREA / POPULATION

The target area for this system is in all large buildings, Parks, Public utilities, Train stations, Airports, Bus stations etc.

INNOVATION and DESIGN FACTOR

The innovation factor in the system are ;

• Creation of a tactile layout for the blind in easy to read form

• Provide clear understanding of area through legends

• Provide clear 'spatial' information of their surroundings through 'voice output'

ROAD AHEAD

Design of low cost mass replicated Talking tactile maps for installation in all locations of general human circulation public areas.