Creating a mental map is an essential skill for travelers. Travellers who are blind or have low vision often face challenges with this task due to its reliance on visual cues. However, Orientation and Mobility (O&M) instructors have effectively employed tactile maps to assist these students in feeling the layout and forming their own mental maps.
I recall the poignant "All the Light We Cannot See," where the father's creation of a town model for Marie-Laure, a newly relocated blind girl, showcased remarkable thoughtfulness and utility.
Nowadays, I retain memories of most places I visit, so constructing new mental maps is infrequent. However, when necessary, it is a daunting task, and I believe tactile models could be beneficial. The American Printing House for the Blind offers a product named Tactile Town, which includes components to recreate external environments in 3D model form.
Tactile Town provided the ability to customize the layout for the individual student’s needs, rather than a static/permanent mold of an intersection.
https://www.aph.org/make-maps-come-to-life-with-tactile-town/
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