Tactile Maps Presenting SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Madeline Ellen MULDER

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The main goal of this diploma thesis is to create a series of tactile maps for people with severe visual impairment presenting Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. To achieve this goal, the work objectives were divided into theoretical and practical parts which focus on researching the implementation of and the actual production of the maps and accompanying materials respectively. Data was sourced from authoritative global sources including the United Nations and Copernicus Programme. Pre-processing and standardization of the data were done using the spreadsheet editor, Excel, and generalization and simplification of the data was completed using the GIS software, ArcGIS Pro. The final layouts and accompanying materials were produced using the graphic design software, Adobe Illustrator. In addition to the maps, various explanatory texts providing context for the project as a whole as well as each individual map were included in the series. These texts were made available as audio files to ensure the greatest extent of accessibility possible. User testing with students with visual impairment was conducted using an interview and questionnaire format in order to assess the usefulness and effectiveness of the maps and to identify areas for improvement in the map design. The results of the user testing were evaluated and necessary improvements were implemented in the map design. The result of this diploma thesis is a digital version of a series of tactile maps on the sixth Sustainable Development Goal. Along with the series of maps, accompanying explanatory texts are provided in digital form and audio recordings of these texts are available online.

Abstract:

The main goal of this diploma thesis is to create a series of tactile maps for people with severe visual impairment presenting Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. To achieve this goal, the work objectives were divided into theoretical and practical parts which focus on researching the implementation of and the actual production of the maps and accompanying materials respectively. Data was sourced from authoritative global sources including the United Nations and Copernicus Programme. Pre-processing and standardization of the data were done using the spreadsheet editor, Excel, and generalization and simplification of the data was completed using the GIS software, ArcGIS Pro. The final layouts and accompanying materials were produced using the graphic design software, Adobe Illustrator. In addition to the maps, various explanatory texts providing context for the project as a whole as well as each individual map were included in the series. These texts were made available as audio files to ensure the greatest extent of accessibility possible. User testing with students with visual impairment was conducted using an interview and questionnaire format in order to assess the usefulness and effectiveness of the maps and to identify areas for improvement in the map design. The results of the user testing were evaluated and necessary improvements were implemented in the map design. The result of this diploma thesis is a digital version of a series of tactile maps on the sixth Sustainable Development Goal. Along with the series of maps, accompanying explanatory texts are provided in digital form and audio recordings of these texts are available online.

Keywords

Tactile maps, Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 6, Swell paper, User testing

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 20. 5. 2024

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: RNDr. Alena Vondráková, Ph.D.

Palacký University Olomouc

Faculty of Science

Master programme / field:
Geoinformatics and Cartography / Geoinformatics and Cartography