Looking Good, Feeling Good – Tac Map: a navigation system for the blind

This paper describes the research and development of a navigation system for the blind that provides a tactile and visual language that can be understood by both sighted and blind users. It describes key work and issues in the development of graphical symbols and in particular the pioneering work of Neurath‟s ISOTYPES, as well as more specific communication systems for blind people. The paper focuses on the development of "TacMap‟, a navigation system for the blind. User engagement has been fundamental in the research and the paper discusses the methodology, the research findings and product‟s potential future opportunities and impact.