The purpose of the project was to gain information with which to improve the quality of tactual maps for the blind. Empirical studies of the pair-comparison type were conducted, using blind students as subjects, to determine discriminable sets of areal, linear, and point symbols made in plastic and to identify discriminable sets of linear and point symbols embossed in paper. After such sets were identified, discriminable plastic symbols of the three types were combined in six pseudomaps which varied through two conditions of spacing between symbols (.090 inch and .150 inch) and through three conditions of relief (all symbols the same height, linear and point symbols higher than areal symbols but the same height, and point symbols higher than linear symbols and linear symbols higher than areal symbols). The maps were used to study how to combine such symbols. Tactual map reading behavior was analyzed using one of the pseudomaps. It was found that tactual perception, symbol legibility, map design, and map user training were closely interrelated and all played critical roles in a blind person's ability to use tactual maps. (Author)