Non-visual access to an interactive 3d map.
Open accessAbstract
Maps are indispensable for helping people learn about unfamiliar environments and plan trips. While tactile (2D) and 3D maps offer non-visual map access to people who are blind or visually impaired (BVI), this access is greatly enhanced by adding interactivity to the maps: when the user points at a feature of interest on the map, the name and other information about the feature is read aloud in audio. We explore how the use of an interactive 3D map of a playground, containing over seventy play structures and other features, affects spatial learning and cognition. Specifically, we perform experiments in which four blind participants answer questions about the map to evaluate their grasp of three types of spatial knowledge: landmark, route and survey. The results of these experiments demonstrate that participants are able to acquire this knowledge, most of which would be inaccessible without the interactivity of the map.
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The trial-and-error method is implemented in other 2D tactile graphic readers.
“In fact, this method is implemented in other 2D tactile graphic readers (11–18, 20, 23), highlighting its significance in facilitating exploration and providing an overview.”
From SONOICE! a Sonar–Voice dynamic user interface for assisting individuals with blindness and visual impairment in pinpointing elements in 2D tactile readers (2024) · cites this paper as [20]
The State of the Art and Related Technology section describes interactive tactile maps that provide audio labels, including maps overlaid on touch-sensitive tablets. It does not say that those other 2D readers implement a trial-and-error method, so the claim’s specific methodological attribution is unsupported. (LLM, conf=0.78)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredPeople with blindness or visual impairment have highlighted the need for an assistive interface to pinpoint elements on tactile surfaces.
“People with BVI have highlighted the need for an assistive interface to pinpoint elements on tactile surfaces (9, 20–24).”
From SONOICE! a Sonar–Voice dynamic user interface for assisting individuals with blindness and visual impairment in pinpointing elements in 2D tactile readers (2024) · cites this paper as [20]
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Cites
The Development of Spatial Representations of Large-Scale Environments
Siegel, A. W., & White, S. H. (1975) · Advances in Child Development and Behavior · doi:10.1016/s0065-2407(08)60007-5 · Cited by 1,830 · see citing works
Interactivity improves usability of geographic maps for visually impaired people
Brock, A. M., Truillet, P., Oriola, B., Picard, D., & Jouffrais, C. (2015) · Human–Computer Interaction · doi:10.1080/07370024.2014.924412 · Cited by 195 · see citing works
Accessible Maps for the Blind: Comparing 3D Printed Models with Tactile Graphics
Holloway, L., Marriott, K., & Butler, M. (2018) · Proceedings of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3173574.3173772 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Navigating without vision: principles of blind spatial cognition
Giudice, N. A. (2018) · Handbook of Behavioral and Cognitive Geography · doi:10.4337/9781784717544.00024 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
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“An alternative approach to providing non-visual map access is the vibro-audio map (VAM) [2], which displays geographic information on a tablet device by issuing vibrations and sounds when the user’s finger contacts a geographic feature such as a path or junction on the tablet screen.”
BackgroundShi, L., McLachlan, R., Zhao, Y., & Azenkot, S. (2016) · International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) · doi:10.1145/2982142.2982153 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Design and Evaluation of an Audio Game-inspired Auditory Map Interface
Biggs, B., Coppin, P., & Coughlan, J. M. (2019) · Proceedings of the ... International Conference on Auditory Display · doi:10.21785/icad2019.051 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Self-citationAn audio-based 3d spatial guidance ar system for blind users.
Coughlan, J. M., Biggs, B., Rivière, M.-A., & Shen, H. (2020) · Lecture Notes in Computer Science · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-58796-3_55 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Self-citationTowards Accessible Audio Labeling of 3D Objects.
Coughlan, J. M., Shen, H., & Biggs, B. (2020) · PubMed · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Self-citationGetting in Touch With Tactile Map Automated Production: Evaluating impact and areas for improvement.
Biggs, B., Pitcher-Cooper, C., & Coughlan, J. M. (2022) · PubMed · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Self-citationDesign and evaluation of an interactive 3D map.
Biggs, B., Coughlan, J. M., & Coppin, P. (2021) · PubMed · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Self-citation
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- [7]Shi L, McLachlan R, Zhao Y, Azenkot S (2016, October). “ Magic touch: interacting with 3D printed graphics.” In Proceedings of the 18th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (pp. 329– 330).
- [12]Brooke J (2013). “ SUS: a retrospective.” Journal of Usability Studies, 8(2), 29– 40.
Cited by
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Understanding Visual Arts Experiences of Blind People
Li, F. M., Zhang, L., Bandukda, M., Stangl, A. J., Shinohara, K., Findlater, L., & Carrington, P. (2023) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3544548.3580941 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Nagassa, R. G., Butler, M., Holloway, L. M., Goncu, C., & Marriott, K. (2023) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3544548.3581389 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
TactIcons: Designing 3D Printed Map Icons for People who are Blind or have Low Vision
Holloway, L. M., Butler, M., & Marriott, K. (2023) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3544548.3581359 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Nagassa, R. G., Pham, A. K., Butler, M., Holloway, L. M., Stefanov, K., de Vent, S., & Marriott, K. (2025) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3706598.3713706 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
MapIO: A Gestural and Conversational Interface for Tactile Maps
Manzoni, M., Mascetti, S., Ahmetovic, D., Crabb, R., & Coughlan, J. M. (2025) · IEEE Access · doi:10.1109/access.2025.3566286 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Self-citationNarcisi, A., Shen, H., Ahmetovic, D., Mascetti, S., & Coughlan, J. M. (2024) · Lecture notes in computer science · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-62846-7_30 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Self-citationRamôa, G., Schmidt, V., Schwarz, T., Stiefelhagen, R., & König, P. (2024) · Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences · doi:10.3389/fresc.2024.1368983 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
StreetScape: Gamified Tactile Interactions for Collaborative Learning and Play
Khalaila, A., Everette, G., Kim, S., & Roy, I. (2025) · CHI Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA) · doi:10.1145/3706599.3719897 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
- Authors
- Coughlan, J. M., Biggs, B., & Shen, H.
- Affiliations
- Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute (US)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (US)
- Corresponding author
- Coughlan, James M.
- Venue
- Lecture Notes in Computer Science
- Publisher
- Springer International Publishing
- Published
- 2022
- Volume
- 13341
- Pages
- 253-260
- ISSN
- 0302-9743 (ISSN-L)
- 1611-3349
- PMC
- PMC9467469
- OpenAlex
- W4285219906
- Cited by
- 8
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3
- FWCI
- 3.69
- Type
- conference paper
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Lecture notes in computer science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Eye Institute (R01EY025332)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Tactile and Sensory Interactions
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Automotive Engineering › Spatial Cognition and Navigation
- Social Sciences › Human Factors and Ergonomics › Digital Accessibility for Disabilities
- Keywords
- blind and visually impaired users, spatial learning, spatial cognition, landmark knowledge, route knowledge, survey knowledge, assistive technology
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