Hypsometry in Tactile Maps

People either perceive geospace directly through their senses or their perception is mediated via geo-information. Those who are blind or visually impaired have to fight difficulties in perceiving geospace. It is one of the tasks of cartography to provide these people with suitable devices to perceive and study geospace. Modern tactile maps enable perception of geospace in a highly illustrative way. The hypsometric map of Europe created at the Palacký University in Olomouc as part of a development programme can serve as an example. These maps are unique three-dimensional tactile maps that enable people with visual impairment make use of residual vision and blind people use Braille. Three-dimensional imaging represents a revolutionary approach to tangible geospace representation. The resulting product is a three-dimensional model with discrete hypsometric layers, with Braille writings and with contrasting colours that distinguish it for people with visual impairment. The hypsometric map of Europe is unique thanks to its processing technique. Its illustrative character provides more information to people with visual impairment than what had been possible to date.