Attachment-D_TactileMapGuidelines.pdf

Tactile Map Guidelines

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Harpers Ferry Center Media Services www.nps.gov/hfc/accessibility February 19, 2020

Braille Guidelines

How to Measure

Braille Typsetting

TypsettingBraille shall be produced in full conformance with the currently applicable codes set forth by the Braille Authority of North America (BANA). Use the latest edition. For more information, see: http://brailleauthority.org.

Typesetting and fabricating Braille must follow the guidelines set forth in the ABA Standards, Chapter 7, Communication Elements, Signs: https://access-board.gov/ guidelines-and-standards/buildings-and-sites/about-the-aba-standards/aba-standards/ chapter-7-communication-elements-and-features.

Do not use Jumbo Braille (Large Dot Braille). People who read standard (size) Braille have difficulty reading Jumbo Braille and people who have less sensitivity in their fingers won't necessarily be able to read it.

Specifications in this document are measured from edge to edge of a raised dot or shape (shown below, left) and from the edge of a raised shape to the edge of the Braille cell (shown below, center). Do not measure from the center of a Braille dot or cell (shown below, right).

Following the above guidelines, set line spacing at 0.400 inches (10.2 mm) of vertical distance between dot 1 on the top line and dot 1 on the bottom line (center to center). This is the only specification measured center to center.

Line length should be no longer than 12 inches, like Braille books.

Avoid widows when setting Braille type.

Be sure to use the Braille capitalization cell before each capital letter. Braille readers will generally assume capitalization at the beginning of a sentence. This can save space, since one letter rendered in Braille comprises a 6-dot cell, whereas a capital letter comprises a 7-dot cell. While proper names should be capitalized, words shown on the map such as “North” or “Visitor Center” shall be rendered in Braille as “north” and “visitor center."

This paper is intended as a guide for the development of tactile map panels such as a wayside orientation panel. They are to be used in conjunction with additional sources listed below.

Attachment D

Tactile Wayside Map Guidelines www.nps.gov/hfc/accessibility February 19, 2020

Braille Typsetting continued

Map Labels

Map Design

North Arrow and Scales

Be sure to use the Braille numeral symbol before each Braille number.

The raised height of a Braille dot is 0.019 inches (0.483 mm) on paper. For an outdoor exhibit, it should be no less than 0.025 inches (0.635 mm) and no more than 0.037 inches (9.5 mm). Symbols such as "You are Here," Fort, and Visitor Center as well as the trail lines should be no less than 0.025 inches (0.635 mm) high.

Braille map labels should be at least 0.375 inches (9.5 mm) edge to edge from other tactile elements that are not directly related to the label. For example the Braille

“north” label and tactile north arrow should be at least 0.375 inches (9.5 mm) from the tactile scale and Braille scale labels.

Braille labels associated with leaders, symbols, or other map element should be set

0.15 inches (3.7 mm) edge to edge.

Braille labels for proper names (ex: Lehigh River) should use Grade 2 and caps and lower case. Printed labels remain as is.

Avoid placing a map inside another map. Tactile maps should have logical edges that either define the edge of the land form, a straight line edge of the map, or the edge of the panel.

Avoid placing printed map details, labels, or symbols under tactile elements to avoid distorting the printed map information.

Not all maps will require a legend if all the shapes are directly labeled, but if a legend is needed, place the legend away from the map.

Place the Braille “north” label below the north arrow. Keep the printed “North” label above the north arrow. The arrow should be tactile and should not have any other elements around it other than the Braille label.

Above the left corner of the scales, add a Braille label “scales” (not printed).

Match the design of the scale, location of the Braille and printed labels, shown here. Adjust the space between tactile scale lines and Braille labels so that none of the Braille dots are closer to the tactile scale line than 0.15 inches (3.7 mm).

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Harpers Ferry Center Media Services

These guidelines were drafted during the development of tactile wayside orienation panels for Gulf Islands National Seashore. They will be updated as additional input is gathered and evaluated.

Tactile Wayside Map Guidelines www.nps.gov/hfc/accessibility February 19, 2020

Legend

Leaders and Labels

Put a tactile line around the Braille entries in the legend. Inside the box, in the upper left hand corner, add a Braille label “legend.” The legend label does not show as a text label on the printed layer.

Adjust leaders and labels so that they end at the baseline of the Braille label, and align with the left (or right) edge of the printed label as shown in this example.

Raised lines for components such as scales, raised characters for letters and numbers, textures and audio description are also necessary to convey information. How and to what extent are dependent on the individual map.