Alternatives in the support of the tactile representation aimed for the guidance of visually impaired visitors in cultural centers

Abstract

This paper contributes to the understanding of how accessibility has been inserted in cultural spaces in Brazil, focusing on the discussion about the spatial orientation of blind visitors in museums. The tactile maps and models were defined as an object of study, considering their relevance in promoting autonomy of walking and spatial orientation within these spaces. The initiative presented in this paper is an artisanal production of a museum tactile map representation using low cost materials. With the aim of increasing the possibilities of representation of tactile maps, as well as of making feasible the construction of a model, digital fabrication was presented as a viable alternative for production. This paper launches important analysis result that will be continued in the future in order to combine the precision and agility of the digital with the process of exploration of materials together with the blind in a constant exchange in the translation of architectural visual aspects into tactile models.