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, the MAD Lab is dedicated to turning inaccessible experiences into inclusive ones.

Join the Media and Accessible Design Lab (MAD Lab) for “Hands On Mapping: An Introduction to Tactile Cartography” on Saturday, September 7, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 1155 Market St, 10^th floor, San Francisco.

ASL interpretation will be provided.

Getting to 1155 Market Street.

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!

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.

More info about the event, including agenda, speaker bios and resources can be found at: https://lighthouse-sf.org/hom2024.

Food and drink will be served. Entrance is complimentary.

RSVP to Hands On Mapping.

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A Big Thank You to Our Sponsors

The MAD would like to give a very special thank you to our event sponsors Waymo,  Zoox , Uber, Sharon Giovinazzo and our wine sponsor, Three Sticks Wines of Sonoma.

Waymo – Tactile Titan $10,000 Sponsor

Zoox – Platinum $5,000 Sponsor

Uber –  Platinum $5,000 Sponsor

Sharon Giovinazzo – Silver $1000 Sponsor

Three Sticks Wines of Sonoma –  Wine Sponsor