Teaching Spatial Concepts to the Visually Impaired Learner: Testing an Auditory Approach
Date
2010
Authors
Thebpanya, Paporn
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education
Abstract
The majority of spatial representations in cartography are predominantly visual in nature. This restricts individuals who are visually impaired to access spatial information freely. This research explored the potential in which the combination of an auditory display and tactile information could facilitate spatial learning in non-sighted individuals. The comparison of the mean scores between the sighted participants who viewed traditional topographic maps and non-sighted individuals who explored sonically enhanced maps are presented. The results revealed that the sonification approach, combined with the tactile interface, have the potential to help individuals with a visual impairment overcome encountered mapping barriers.
Description
Keywords
geography, auditory displays, blindness, sonified maps, tactile interfaces, visual impairment
Citation
Thebpanya, P. (2010). Teaching spatial concepts to the visually impaired learner: Testing an auditory approach. Research in Geographic Education, 12(1), pp. 5-20.