3D maps designed for visually impaired students

Abstract

Moving from place to place within a school can pose a significant challenge to visually impaired students. If they can familiarize themselves with the physical environment of the school, they would be less likely to suffer accidents in their movement within the school. To this end, they can be trained to grasp the positions and orientation of buildings, structures, and other important elements of the school and to move reliably in the directions that connect them. The research presented here involves a test of sensing variables. It begins by creating a 3D map of the buildings in in the Northern school for the blind under the patronage of the Queen, Chiang Mai Province. Then students are trained to grasp the symbols and details in the map. Finally, the students are tested by moving to targeted place and questionnaires and interviews that are related to seven criteria of learning efficacy.

The results show:

1. Satisfaction of user: 86%
2. Ease of use: 84%
3. Understanding of 3D map details: 86%
4. Suitability of legend: 86%
5. size: 76%
6. materials: 76%
7. Practical utility of the map: 84%

The overall response from interviewees was good. The 3D maps produced are also used to teach students in the Blind Rehabilitation Academy to become familiar with their environment and movements.