Narrative Maps

What is the difference between a narrative map and a tactile map?

A “narrative” map is a verbal or text-based description that provides the wayfinding instructions required to follow and maintain orientation along a walking route. In fact, when a mobility instructor familiarizes a skilled Blind or Deafblind traveler to routes in a new environment, they essentially assist them in creating narrative route maps.

A “tactile” map is an image that uses raised surfaces and textures to represent an indoor or outdoor environment. Tactile maps are designed to represent floor plans, school and college campuses, downtown city environments, and a wide range of other areas. When a blind or deafblind map-reader studies a tactile map, they do so with the goal of becoming familiar with an environment, or with a particular walking route. They use those raised images to create their own cognitive map, and as this relates to routes, this is often accomplished by forming an internal "verbal or narrative map."

Glossary

Landmarks and landmarking (as they relate to wayfinding for the blind)

In the field of Orientatin and Mobility, a landmark refers to an object in one’s environment that has an auditory, olfactory, proprioceptive or tactile quality. A landmark must be constant and permanent to qualify as a useful orientation aid for a blind traveler. Once landmarks are identified and brought to the attention of a blind traveler, they can be used for the following purposes: to establish and maintain directional orientation, as a reference point, to establish distance relationhsips, to locate a specific objective, to orient or reorient oneself to an area, to use for parallel or perpendicular alignment for straight line travel.

Narrative map (also referred to as verbal, text-based, or auditory maps)

A narrative map is a verbal or text-based description that assists someone in developing a mental representation of a particular environment, or provides the step-by-step instructions required to follow and maintain orientation along a walking route.

Trailing

Involves the use of one fingers, a cane, or some residual vision, to follow a surface or guideline along a walking route. This could refer to a wall, grassline edge, driveway, or curb, etc.

Tactile map

An image that uses raised surfaces and textures that represent an indoor or outdoor environment, and that assist in the development of a spatial map. Tactile maps can be designed with both Braille and print features.

Orientation and mobility

Refers to a body of knowledge and the specific techniques within the “blindness education” domain that involve skills needed for a blind traveler to develop an awareness of the environment, and the ability to travel through it safely and independently.

Cognitive map

Refers to the mental processing involved in acquiring, storing, and retrieving information having to do with one’s physical or spatial environment.

Wayfinding

Refers to the navigational methods used by an individual to travel from one location to another. With respect to “blindness wayfinding”, it refers to the specific landmarking and safety techniques that a blind individual needs in order to accomplish this kind of deliberate navigation safely and independently.