Beautiful Map for the Visually Impaired

Most of the unique or interesting maps the GIS Service Bureau has posted about have been digital, today we would like to show you an interesting physical map.

In the Northeast corner of the sculpture park in downtown Des Moines, IA you can find the above pictured map, designed for people with visual impairments. The map is not only informative for anyone able to read braille, it is appealing for people without visual impairments (the picture does not do it justice).  The metal map has the pathways and berms etched into the surface with the sculpture locations represented by the sculpture number written in braille.

Click on the image below to see how the braille on the map corresponds to the sculptures on the ground.

 Kevin Moran from Des Moines Parks and Recreation said, "The design of the sculpture park included the concept of being accessible for everyone to enjoy."  This meant creating an environment people with visual disabilities could navigate and understand.  The city published a brochure explaining the sculptures and the park in both written words and braille.  The braille numbers on the map correspond to the sculpture numbers in the brochure so anyone can find their way to the sculpture and read the description.

If you find yourself in downtown Des Moines, the sculpture park is worth exploring!