Information in workplaces regarding emergency exits, directory of businesses within the building and a floor layout are predominantly displayed through visual means. For people who are blind or vision impaired that rely on Braille, tactile maps and labels can greatly assist in orientation to and navigating around the workplace. Use of tactile drawings and pictures such as charts and graphs can also assist in improving communication within the workplace.
Types of tactile or Braille maps:
A range of methods are available in which to make tactile images:
- tactile image markers can be used to make high quality tactile pictures using a range of papers and equipment such as capsule or heat sensitive paper which causes any black lines or images (black absorbs more heat) on paper to swell using a heat source to create an instant tactile graphic
- software which translates text to Braille and can be used for a wide variety of means including maps.
(Blind Citizens Australia (no date specified); HumanWare 2005 - 2007; Quantum Technology 2007; National Network of Regional Disability Liaison Officers and Disability Coordinators)
References
Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) (no date specified), Accessible Environments: Raised Tactile and Braille Signage, Blind Citizens Australia, Kensington, viewed 2 November 2007, <http://www.bca.org.au/Accessible_Environments_Signage_Specification.htm>.
HumanWare 2005 - 2007, Duxbury, HumanWare, Baulkham Hills, viewed 2 November 2007, <http://www.humanware.com/en-australia/products/braille_and_speech/braille_translators/_details/id_37/duxbury.html >.
Quantum Technology 2007, The role of tactile images, Quantum Technology, Sydney, viewed 2 November 2007, <http://www.quantech.com.au/tactileimages>.
National Network of Regional Disability Liaison Officers and Disability Coordinators 2005, Information Access –Guidelines for the production of tactile maps, National Network of Regional Disability Liaison Officers and Disability Coordinators, Canberra City, viewed 2 November 2007 ,<http://www.adcet.edu.au/rdco/ViewFAQDetail.aspx?itemid=534>.
Quantum Technology 2007, Tactile - Piaf, Quantum Technology, Sydney, viewed 2 November 2007, <http://www.quantech.com.au/piaf>.
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