[NFBSea] FW: TMAP: From a Dream to a Global Resource

Fri Sep 30 21:07:43 UTC 2022

Passing on for your information.

TMAP: From a Dream to a Global Resource

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October 2022

The Power of Partnership - Innovation Meets Collaboration!

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Photo caption: Image of a TMAP tactile map of 1155 Market Street in San Francisco with labels and a map key in Braille and large print 

TMAP: From a Dream to a Global Resource

In 2007 Dr. Joshua Miele, Ph.D., then at the  <https://lighthouse-sf.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f40e17a83bbae60b5969a0798&id=cdae13b477&e=3d74aa63b7> Smith Kettlewell Eye Research Institute (SKI), dreamed of a way to address the long-standing lack of access to tactile maps and materials suitable for teaching map reading, and orientation and wayfinding skills to people who are blind. But what would it take? The right vision, the right technology, and the right people to make it happen.

Timing is everything! Through the timely intersection of innovation and collaboration, the Tactile Map Automated Production system (TMAP) was born. Dr. Miele developed a software that could generate a map file that could be downloaded to a blind user's computer. But what then? At this point, the specially formatted map file was ready to be embossed on a graphics capable embosser, creating a hard copy tactile map to bring a set of streets or cityscapes to life under the user's fingers! However, not all embossers were able to generate the appropriate level of detail to make tactile maps legible and usable. Then came the ViewPlus Pro Gen II — among the first generation of "printers" that produced high-resolution tactile graphics. For the first time ever, a person without specialized training could produce a tactile street map of any neighborhood in a matter of minutes at a minimal cost.

LightHouse partnered with SKI (who had partnered with the National Science Foundation to secure funding) to be the fulfillment center, embossing maps and mailing to end-users. Today, we use more contemporary ViewPlus embossers, but TMAP continues to generate thousands of tactile street maps quickly, easily, and affordably. In the past five years, we have produced nearly 5,000 TMAPs!

Readers can  <https://lighthouse-sf.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f40e17a83bbae60b5969a0798&id=e3d5a7a710&e=3d74aa63b7> sign up for a free TMAP account and start making their own tactile maps; and those without an embosser can  <https://lighthouse-sf.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f40e17a83bbae60b5969a0798&id=9dbe4583fa&e=3d74aa63b7> order a TMAP through  <https://lighthouse-sf.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f40e17a83bbae60b5969a0798&id=bb367a8ce4&e=3d74aa63b7> Adaptations.

At the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, we place a high value on cultivating partnerships with individuals and organizations who share our vision. Over the years, partnerships have contributed to the growth of the MAD Lab from our humble beginnings as a tiny radio reading service to our success in tactile graphic design and production. Over the course of the next several newsletters, we will highlight some of the key partnerships and events that have helped forge the MAD Lab into the global resource it is today.

The MAD Lab is Hiring

The MAD Lab is looking for a  <https://lighthouse-sf.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f40e17a83bbae60b5969a0798&id=78f2120abe&e=3d74aa63b7> Designer/Alt Media Specialist to contribute tactile designs and accessible media that enhance the experience of blind and low vision people. Join Our Team. Be one of the people making high quality tactile graphics happen.

 <https://lighthouse-sf.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f40e17a83bbae60b5969a0798&id=017af26eb2&e=3d74aa63b7> Find out more about MAD Lab 

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LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired 

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