The Accessible Tactile Indoor Maps (ATIM) Symbol Set: A Common Symbol Set for Different Printing Methods

In this paper, we describe a method on how to create a common tactile symbol set for printing methods which differ in resolution. We used a well-tested symbol set for swell paper as a basis and defined criteria on how to transfer the symbols to a different printing method. The method was developed in a user-centered design approach and assessed by a blind expert on tactile graphics resulting in the Accessible Tactile Indoor Maps (ATIM) symbol set. Moreover, we extracted the most important accessibility features for indoor environments and mapped them to distinct symbols. The presented method can also be useful for transfer to other printing techniques with a different resolution.