The client

Sheffield Blind Institute

The challenge

The institute collaborated with Sheffield Hallam student Patricia Dieng, and the University's Lab4Living research group, on a project to create an innovative new way of providing directions for blind or visually impaired people.

What we did

The tactile map is produced on reactive paper, which can be printed out on a normal printer then out through a heat machine which makes the darker areas rise up, creating a surface which people can feel their way around.

Originally created as a project by Patricia, a masters student, the low-cost and versatile map has now attracted University funding to support further development.

The results

The feedback from users was very positive, saying it gave them a much better sense of environment than using voice directions, for example. It doesn't impede local sounds such as traffic noise or birds singing which all help to create a multi-sensory experience.

The design team are now using the funding to do a further 15 months work on the concept, which the team hope to take to a commercial conclusion.

Paul Chamberlain, professor of design head of the Art and Design Research Centre, said, 'The potential uses for this approach are endless. There's no doubt it supports the government's focus on accessibility and, as well as the tangible end product, we'll also be creating the software which will enable us to produce standard or customised maps.'

'We're currently looking at developing a map for first-time students at Sheffield Hallam, which will help them find their own way to key locations such as lecture theatres, cafés, toilets and learning centres. The company who developed the technology - Zychem - are also supporting us, and together we hope to bring this innovation on to the next stage.'