Virtual Tactile Maps

Tactile maps constitute the media most commonly use d by blind and partially sighted people for the xploration of spatial infor mation. However, compared to maps for sighted people, they are inconvenient to p roduce and contain less information. We have developed methods and implemente d them prototypically, by which visually impaired people can explore a geo graphical area flexibly with the help of acomputer through virtual tactile maps . The design of asystem is presented which captures hand positions through av ideo camera nd produces acoustic output. It uses digital map data which is adapted to the requirements of the users. One of the most compelling problem is ho w to deal with the scale of a map, in particular the non-linearity of maps. In th is paper, the development of the prototype and initial experience with it are pr esented.