Introduction: Technological advances have introduced three-dimensional (3-D) printing as an option for creating tactile maps for people with visual impairments (that is, those who are blind or have low vision), diversifying the types of map products that are available. At the same time, it presents a challenge to map makers to implement designs…

Compared was the effectiveness of training in three different tactual map reading search patterns with 144 braille readers in grades 4-12. (LH)

Reported were the research, design and production of a sophisticated, challenging tactual mobility map (of Massachusetts Institute of Technology Campus) for highly motivated and mobile blind users. (GW)

Reported was a study comparing the effectiveness of a brief period of instruction in various strategies in the scanning of a tactual pseudomap by 108 blind braille readers at the intermediate, junior high, and senior high levels. (DB)

A framework for studying individual variation in tactile map reading is offered and a set of research guidelines suggested. It is argued that the reading process may be viewed as a many-leveled set of skills viewed from an information processing rather than a psychometric perspective. Individual variations are studied and classified. (Author/PB)