Hands On Mapping: An Introduction to Tactile Cartography at the San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Maps deepen understanding, broaden perspectives, and encourage engagement with our world. However, people who are blind or visually impaired do not have equal access to maps that the sighted population often takes for granted. As one of the few places in the world—and one of the best—producing high-quality tactile maps, LightHouse's Media & Accessible Design (MAD) Lab is dedicated to turning inaccessible experiences into inclusive ones.

Join MAD Lab for "Hands On Mapping: An Introduction to Tactile Cartography” on Saturday, September 7th, from 2 to 5 PM at the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired headquarters located at 1155 Market St, 10th floor, San Francisco.  ASL interpretation will be provided. 

We will introduce how blind people use tactile maps. This event is for all: sighted and blind audiences alike – no prior experience necessary. Whether you are new to tactile cartography or already familiar, you will be warmly welcomed, educated, and thoroughly engaged.

Event Program

Featuring speaker Dr. Joshua Miele in conversation with Dr. Yue-Ting Siu (CATT-NW Program Coordinator, WSSB) and Chancey Fleet (Assistive Technology Coordinator, Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, NYPL), along with a variety of breakout sessions that lead you through the landscape of tactile maps, including:

• TMAP (Tactile Maps Automated Production). Speakers: Dr. Joshua Miele and Greg Kehret.
• Reading a tactile map. Speakers: Frank Welte and Jerry Kuns. 
• Designing map symbols using nonvisual tools. Speakers: Chancey Fleet and Marco Salsiccia.
• Design a tactile map. Speaker: Naomi Rosenberg.
• Future of digital tactile maps. Speaker: Mike May.

Entrance to this event is complimentary, and includes a reception with delicious food and refreshments, fostering further conversation and networking opportunities.

This event is also special as it is MAD Lab's inaugural fundraiser. Funds raised will play a pivotal role in supporting our ongoing work on tactile maps and TMAP.  Individuals who generously donate $250 or more will receive a MAD Lab t-shirt as a token of our appreciation. Donations can be made online or via check anytime or on the day of the event.  To make a check donation, please make the check out to LightHouse for the Blind and put in the Memo section "9/7 MAD Lab event". Donation checks should be mailed to LightHouse's remit address:  

To learn more about additional ways to support the event, view our sponsorship opportunities. 

Questions?

Please contact Karen Thompson, Senior Director of Individual & Institutional Giving, at KThompson@lighthouse-sf.org if you have any questions or need additional information.