[blindkid] Maps, etc.

[Robert Jaquiss]

Hello:

     One big problem when dealing with maps is that there is no standard for 
tactile maps. BANA is working on a standard for tactile graphics, but it 
isn't out yet although it is getting close. The development of tactile 
graphics standards have taken about thirteen years of research and study. 
What this means for practical purposes is that every producer of maps has 
their own standard. APH has one standard while the producers of state tests 
might use other standards and the transcribers of textbooks yet something 
else. The materials used for maps also dictate what sorts of symbols can be 
used. Maps created with the collage method can have a far wider selection of 
symbols than is possible when using a Tiger or Swell paper. My only 
suggestion is to look at as many maps as possible.

Regards,

Robert Jaquiss

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bonnie Lucas" <lucas.bonnie at gmail.com>
To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 9:41 AM
Subject: [blindkid] Maps, etc.


>    Hello,
>
> Through the year, aubrie's social studies class has been given blank maps 
> and they then fill in the appropriate cities and such. Her teacher has 
> just told her to find the items on her APH maps. She has had no blank maps 
> to label and that was why, when she saw the maps on the state test, she 
> was unable to figure out what anything was. Her TVI has spent absolutely 
> no time showing her anything about maps. She tells me that, furthermore, 
> the SS teacher is extremely poor. The teacher has never given her a map 
> test, whereas, last year's teacher gave her a map test every time the 
> other kids had one. Apparently, last year's text had the maps that were in 
> the print text. therefore, when the kids had to find countries or rivers 
> or whatever, the maps in the book showed those things spacifically. When 
> they did the book this year, they simply said that the student should use 
> the APH map. As many of you probably know, these maps can be confusing 
> because there is so much to look at. Unfortunately, I am just now 
> realizing that this has been a problem. though we can't really solve this 
> problem this year, I would like to know just how I can work it out for 
> next year.
>
> Could some of you teachers give me some ideas about how you make sure your 
> blind students really are able to access and use maps to the degree that 
> their sighted peers do?
>
> It occurs to me that one thing I could do is to make sure that when the 
> book is brailled for next year that the maps are included.
>
> If any of you have some ideas from different things that you have tried, 
> please let me know.
> thanks in advance
> Bonnie.
>
> Bonnie Lucas
> 770-992-0484
> Cell: 678-480-0864
> lucas.bonnie at gmail.com
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blindkid:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/rjaquiss%40earthlink.net