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Specification of symbols used on audio-tactile maps for individuals with blindness
Start date: Jan 1, 2014,

Nowadays, information technology offers the means to convert information into audio, tactile or audio-tactile form. The benefits of tactile graphics have been combined with those of the voice aids through the use of special devices, such as audio-touchpad tablets. An audio-touchpad tablet is a device which can simultaneously provide its users with spatial and acoustic information, while at the same time users are able to explore tactile graphics. Tactile maps have raised graphic patterns that are recognizable by touch. In the case of audio-tactile maps (AT-maps), audio symbols, tactile symbols, audio & tactile (combined) symbols and braille labels are used. What needs to be examined is which information should be represented by tactile symbols or with braille labels and which information should be represented by audio or audio-tactile symbols. Moreover, it should be specified which audio-tactile symbols (AT-symbols, that are tactile, audio, audio-tactile) will represent specific information in audio-tactile maps.The fundamental aim of the project is the specification of various kinds of AT-symbols to be used in AT-maps. The specification of AT-symbols will be applied on a wide spectrum of AT-maps frequently used in education and training of IVIs, such as: 1) Orientation and mobility maps; 2) political, physical, historic, and thematic maps. Among the main objectives of the project is to train IVIs on the use of AT-maps. Moreover, teachers of IVIs, rehabilitation specialists, orientation and mobility specialists will be trained on the construction of audio-tactile maps, using the specified derived audio-tactile symbols, and on the use of touchpad devices. Two basic project deliverables will be the polyglot web-based library of AT-symbols and the political-psysical audio-tactile atlas of Europe.
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Details

  • Education and training\Life long learning (2007-2013)\DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE ICT-BASED CONTENT, SERVICES, PEDAGOGIES AND PRACTICE FOR LIFELONG LEARNING (KEY ACTIVITY 3)\Multilateral projects
  • Project on ERASMUS Platform

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