The Mapping for the Visually Impaired (MVI) portal aims to make maps and geo-spatial data accessible on-line.

The site provides maps and information on:

• Maps for Education: tactile maps showing the general geography of Canada, including thematic maps and the Tactile Atlas of Canada
• Maps for Mobility: sample maps to download and print and procedures to make mobility training maps, to help visually impaired persons be more mobile
• Maps for Transportation and Tourism: sample maps to download and print and procedures to make maps to help visually impaired persons visiting travel destinations in Canada
• Maps for Web-4-All: project of Industry Canada, sample audio-tactile city approach and city core maps to download and print or use online

The Research and Development section provides descriptions and examples of research into delivering accessible maps over the Internet. Prototype maps show the use of audio-tactile and haptic feedback techniques in Macromedia Flash and SVG formats.

Research issues include:

• using a networked tactile map with a touch sensitive pad;
• examination of the use of haptic feedback for mapping;
• audio feedback in web enabled multimedia formats including Flash and SVG; and
• usability of audio-tactile maps with haptic feedback.