Summary of "Working Group on Inclusive Cartography seminar 1: V. van Altena & J. Wabiński"

Summary of “Working Group on Inclusive Cartography seminar 1: V. van Altena & J. Wabiński”

This seminar, moderated by Anna Petravich, focused on the activities and goals of the Working Group on Inclusive Cartography within the International Cartographic Association (ICA). Presentations were given by Jakob Wabiński and Vincent van Altena. The main themes revolved around inclusive mapping practices, tactile mapping for people with visual impairments, and the collaborative process of producing a specialized book on tactile mapping.

Main Ideas and Concepts

Introduction to the Working Group on Inclusive Cartography

Formed in 2023, evolving from a commission originally focused on tactile mapping for the blind (established in 1984).
Expanded scope to include diverse marginalized groups considering cognitive, cultural, racial, and geographical needs.
The group aims to transform traditional cartographic practices to prioritize inclusion, diversity, and accessibility.
Membership is global, with active members meeting regularly online every 1–2 months.
Hosts workshops, seminars, and collaborative projects involving diverse stakeholders, including end-users.

Activities and Events

Organized pre-conference workshops in 2024 and 2025 focusing on tactile map design, spatial accessibility, usability testing, and user experience.
Workshops emphasize hands-on activities, such as drafting design guidelines for specific user personas.
Collaboration with other ICA commissions and external NGOs.
Future seminars planned every 2–3 months, open to people from various disciplines interested in inclusive design.

Current and Future Projects

Systematic literature reviews on inclusiveness in cartography, covering cognition, geographical, racial, and cultural diversity, with plans to incorporate AI in the review process.
T-RE (Tactile Repository and Education): an open platform repository for tactile map symbols, design guidelines, and projects to facilitate knowledge sharing globally, planned for launch in early 2025.
Special issue in the journal Applied Sciences (MDPI) focused on inclusive cartography, inviting contributions from the community.

Presentation on the Tactile Mapping Book by Vincent van Altena

Originated from a Dutch tactile mapping project aiming to share knowledge rather than just produce maps.
Target audience: practitioners, interested individuals, and not only academics.
The book combines maps, images, and text, featuring three types of contributions:
- Expert chapters by researchers.
- Case studies from different countries.
- Personal stories from people who are blind or visually impaired.
Publishing process involved:
- Pitching the idea to S3 Press, including market research and contract negotiations.
- Addressing unique challenges such as safeguarding rights of visually impaired contributors who cannot verify image use themselves.
- Managing contributions from over 30 global authors.
- Editorial support including content editors, copy editors, graphic editors, and marketing/PR teams.
- Coordination and communication challenges due to cultural differences, language barriers, and unforeseen delays.
The book is structured into five parts:
1. Introduction and personal stories.
2. Maps and perception (including haptic perception).
3. Designing tactile maps (symbols, generalization).
4. Users and education (inclusive design, training).
5. Output methods (media, 3D printing, reflection).
Promotion included advanced reader copies, podcasts, magazine articles, conference presentations, and booths.

Discussion and Q&A Highlights

Importance of diverse contributions to provide a comprehensive view of tactile mapping.
Personal stories bring the human impact of maps to life.
Recognition of the varied capabilities and achievements of visually impaired individuals.
Challenges in accessibility vary by region and infrastructure.
Connections with other ICA working groups, such as the Accessible Mapping Research Lab at the University of Calgary.
Encouragement for community involvement and collaboration.

Detailed Methodology / Instructions Outlined

Working Group Participation

Join via website and mailing lists.
Attend regular online meetings.
Engage in workshops and collaborative projects.
Contribute to literature reviews or repository projects.

Book Production Process

Identify audience and purpose of the publication.
Develop a clear table of contents and outline.
Pitch to publisher with market research.
Negotiate contracts carefully, especially regarding rights and accessibility.
Recruit contributors for:
- Expert chapters.
- Case studies.
- Personal stories.
Provide contributors with clear guidelines and sample contributions.
Use editorial support (content editors, copy editors, graphic editors).
Manage communication actively, including resolving misunderstandings by calls rather than lengthy emails.
Plan marketing and promotion strategies, including advanced reader copies, podcasts, and conference presence.

Inclusive Mapping Practices

Prioritize user engagement, especially involving end-users with disabilities.
Consider diverse needs including cognitive, cultural, racial, and geographical factors.
Use hands-on workshops to develop design guidelines tailored to specific personas.
Share knowledge openly through repositories and publications.

Speakers and Sources Featured

Anna Petravich – Moderator, Assistant Professor at Delft University of Technology, member of the Working Group on Inclusive Cartography.
Jakob Wabiński – Chair of the Working Group on Inclusive Cartography, co-editor of the tactile mapping book.
Vincent van Altena – Co-chair of the Working Group on Inclusive Cartography, co-editor of the tactile mapping book.
Victoria (last name not given) – Associate Professor at University of Calgary, runs Accessible Mapping Research Lab, contributor to related research.
Brandon – Mentioned as a future speaker, software engineer and visually impaired person developing sonification tools for maps.
Valda (last name not given) – Vice-chair of the Working Group, former chair of the commission on maps and graphics for the blind, based in Brazil.
Other contributors and editorial staff – Over 30 contributors worldwide involved in the book project, including case study authors and people with visual impairments sharing personal stories.

This seminar highlighted the importance of inclusive cartography, the challenges and rewards of collaborative publishing in this field, and ongoing efforts to make mapping more accessible and representative of diverse user needs.