Getting places on campus is a challenge for any student new to Michigan State University. The campus, over 2000 acres large with 40,000 inhabitants, is as large as many small cities.
Special challenges arise, however, for students with visual characteristics, as they are not always able to use the traditional landmarks and maps located around campus.
One of the ways that MSU and OPHS have attempted to make acclimation to campus easier for these students is to provide a tactile map of the University, one of which is located at OPHS.
"The map helps orient students as well as asking a lot of questions or walking (campus), but it won't totally supplant the need to walk around," said Michael Hudson, Visual Characteristics Specialist at OPHS.
Maps were created using a chemically-treated paper onto which a photocopy was made. The paper was then passed through an image enhancing machine. The resulting textured paper was then placed onto the Nomad tablet which was connected to a computer. The computer has been programmed to identify each element of the map when touched, as well as calculate approximate distance between two identified points.
There is also a seek feature which allows a student to type in a building or place that s/he is searching for on the map, and the program will guide the student toward it as s/he touches the pressure-sensitive map on the Nomad.
This tactile map of MSU is much more user-friendly than the one created in 1974. Because it has both an overview and quadrant sections, it facilitates students making meaning of the map. Previous maps induced sensory overload, by having several slightly different textures for landmarks, roads, buildings, trees, grass, etc. This map is smooth except for big landmarks (including the river, forests, railroad tracks, etc.), buildings and roads.
The current map is also predictive, showing buildings that are currently under construction on campus.
The map began as a project initiated by Michael Hudson and a graduate assistant, Vicki Chapman. Ms. Chapman approached Judy Olson in the Geography and Cartography department and they worked together with Olson's graduate level class. Dr. Tom Hwang of the VI Special Education division joined to help write a grant which funded the purchase of three Nomad machines, the chemically-treated paper, and image enhancing machines. These maps allow for continual improvement in education and service.
The tactile map of the entire University may be used to pinpoint an area, then more detailed maps of various quadrants of campus may be used to plan a route.