Tactile Atlas of Nigeria: Development of educational cartographic materials about Nigeria for students with visual impairments

Bamidele Clement OKE

Diplomová práce

Abstract:

The global mandate for inclusive education seeks to ensure that all learners have equal access to core curricula. In Nigeria, students with visual impairments face significant disadvantages in visually intensive subjects such as geography, primarily due to a lack of specialized instructional materials. To address this gap, this master's thesis presents the development of the first Tactile Atlas of Nigeria, specifically designed for secondary school students with visual impairments. The research commenced with a baseline survey of selected inclusive schools in Nigeria, which revealed that 71% lacked tactile maps, although all students expressed willingness to use them if available. A comprehensive literature review on tactile cartography identified microcapsule (swell) paper as the most practical and reproducible production method. Using authoritative datasets, 40 thematic and political maps and charts were designed across multiple scales (World, Africa, Nigeria). The design process adhered to best practices in tactile generalization, employing distinct hatch patterns, simplified boundary lines, 24-point Braille, and low-saturation colour fills to support both low-vision users and sighted educators. The prototypes underwent a rigorous multi-phase user testing framework. Initial testing in Prague refined critical tactile parameters, leading to necessary design mitigations such as map decomposition to reduce cognitive pressure. Subsequent testing in Nigeria with eleven blind secondary school students validated the atlas's real-world educational utility. Despite the students having no prior map-reading experience, the evaluations revealed significant empirical knowledge transfer, with 100% of participants improving their geographic comprehension after interacting with the maps. The study shows that the Tactile Atlas of Nigeria is a functional and highly effective educational tool. However, its large-scale adoption requires urgent systemic interventions, including strategic investment in tactile production infrastructure and comprehensive teacher training programs.

Abstract:

The global mandate for inclusive education seeks to ensure that all learners have equal access to core curricula. In Nigeria, students with visual impairments face significant disadvantages in visually intensive subjects such as geography, primarily due to a lack of specialized instructional materials. To address this gap, this master's thesis presents the development of the first Tactile Atlas of Nigeria, specifically designed for secondary school students with visual impairments. The research commenced with a baseline survey of selected inclusive schools in Nigeria, which revealed that 71% lacked tactile maps, although all students expressed willingness to use them if available. A comprehensive literature review on tactile cartography identified microcapsule (swell) paper as the most practical and reproducible production method. Using authoritative datasets, 40 thematic and political maps and charts were designed across multiple scales (World, Africa, Nigeria). The design process adhered to best practices in tactile generalization, employing distinct hatch patterns, simplified boundary lines, 24-point Braille, and low-saturation colour fills to support both low-vision users and sighted educators. The prototypes underwent a rigorous multi-phase user testing framework. Initial testing in Prague refined critical tactile parameters, leading to necessary design mitigations such as map decomposition to reduce cognitive pressure. Subsequent testing in Nigeria with eleven blind secondary school students validated the atlas's real-world educational utility. Despite the students having no prior map-reading experience, the evaluations revealed significant empirical knowledge transfer, with 100% of participants improving their geographic comprehension after interacting with the maps. The study shows that the Tactile Atlas of Nigeria is a functional and highly effective educational tool. However, its large-scale adoption requires urgent systemic interventions, including strategic investment in tactile production infrastructure and comprehensive teacher training programs.

Keywords

Cartography, Swell Paper, Visual Impairment, Accessible Mapping, User Testing

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 30. 7. 2026

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

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

UNIVERZITA PALACKÉHO V OLOMOUCI

Přírodovědecká fakulta

Magisterský studijní program / obor:
Geoinformatics and Cartography / Geoinformatics and Cartography