Study and Design of a Tactile Map and a Tactile 3D Model in Brazil: Assistive Technologies for People with Visual Impairment

Abstract

This paper presents the study and the design method for the development of a Tactile Map and 3D Tactile Model in Brazil to be used as assistive technology for people with visual impairments. In this context, we present bibliographic review that offers requirements to design various tactile products. The method presents techniques for measuring the usability of these products. Thus, researchers have been prototyping the tactile map on the fuser printer and the tactile 3D model on three-dimensional printer for a National Conference of Assistive Technology for the Integration between Design and Engineering in Brazil. Thus, from the perspective of built environment, researchers defined the location points in the products (map and 3D model, both tactile). The map and 3D model were adapted based on a user-centered design process of an individual with complete visual impairment. People with visual impairments have been testing this Assistive Technologies (AT) during the conference. The main objective of this study was to investigate the accessible production of inexpensive tactile aid products in order to improve the user experience and practices of visually impaired people. This paper shows that Tactile Map and 3D Tactile Model presented in this study were able to help individuals with vision impairments in the conference environment.