Relief Practice Map: Roman Empire
Date
Credits
- Louis Richard Klemm Designer
- William Beverly Harison Copywriter
Format
- Map 51
Type of Work
- Finished work 5467
Media
- paper 1219
Techniques
- printing 404
Dimensions
Locations Made
- United States 616
- New York 354
This map is an early example of a tactile relief map, made to serve the blind as a way of reading and interpreting geographical details. This specific map was manually embroidered on specially produced paper, and it shows geographic details of the Roman Empire within Europe, most notably Greece and Italy.
Raised-relief maps represent a significant advancement in using tactile methods to design for the visually impaired. These maps provide a more efficient way to interact with spatial and geographical data, improving accessibility and understanding for those who cannot understand visual maps.
The invention of raised relief maps carries into aspects of modern information design, looking at tools like transit signs and public maps. Many of the visual tools and displays in public transit today implement tactile details in order to account for improved accessibility and accommodation towards those who are visually impaired.
