Expression of paths and buildings for universal designed interactive map with due consideration for visually impaired people

Our research purpose is to develop the universal designed interactive map which provides spatial information not only for ordinary people but also for visually impaired people with combination of touch, audio and vision. This paper describes our concept for universal designed map and map expression of paths and buildings. We reports two experimental examinations of graphic symbol recognition by two low vision examinees to developing a proof-of-concept design of the map expression of the shape of paths and buildings, and propose the One Octave Scale Interface as a example of the expression of universal designed interactive map. This paper also reports an experiment with blind people to read maps with our proposed interface and tried to reach goal points holding guided course.