Innovative Way to Create Tactile Maps using TMAP Software with Greg Kehret

Do you ever find yourself in that familiar predicament of needing to create tactile maps for your students but feel overwhelmed by the amount of work it takes? You know the routine: gathering materials, sketching lines perfectly, making sure each street is represented accurately—and then doing it all over again for the next map. It can feel like an endless cycle, and before you know it, hours have passed, and you’ve barely scratched the surface. What if there was a way to streamline the process? What if you could create tactile maps with minimal effort while still ensuring they are accessible and accurate?

Enter TMAP—a groundbreaking software that revolutionizes how we create tactile maps. In this blog, we’re diving into the details of TMAP, an innovative tool that can save you valuable time and energy while ensuring your students have the maps they need to navigate new areas confidently.

Meet Greg Kehret: The Vision Behind TMAP

In this week’s podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Greg Kehret, the director of the Media and Accessible Design Lab (MAD Lab) at San Francisco Lighthouse for the Blind. Greg’s personal journey into the world of accessibility began when his best friend became blind, which fueled his dedication to making visual information as accessible as possible. This passion led to the creation of TMAP—a software designed to simplify the process of creating tactile maps for Orientation and Mobility (O&M) and Vision Impairment (VI) specialists.

Greg shared how TMAP came to life and how it is transforming the way O&M professionals create maps. Gone are the days of laboring over map details and perfecting every line. With TMAP, creating tactile maps has never been easier.

What Is TMAP and How Does It Benefit O&M and VI Specialists?

TMAP is a powerful tool that allows O&M and VI specialists to create tactile maps quickly and easily. Instead of starting from scratch every time, TMAP takes the heavy lifting out of the process, allowing instructors to focus on what really matters—teaching their students to navigate the world confidently.

Greg shared how TMAP can benefit both O&M specialists and their students by helping them access new areas with ease. Whether you're mapping out a new neighborhood, school campus, or public space, TMAP simplifies the process by generating accurate, tactile maps with minimal effort. By reducing the time spent on map creation, O&M specialists can dedicate more time to hands-on instruction, guiding students through real-world navigation.

How TMAP Works: A Seamless Experience for Instructors

One of the standout features of TMAP is its user-friendly interface. Instructors can simply input an address or location, and the software will generate a tactile map. The map can then be customized to fit the needs of the student, whether that means adjusting the level of detail, removing unnecessary features, or making specific streets or landmarks more prominent.

Greg walked us through how TMAP works in the podcast, and it’s clear that the software is designed with O&M specialists in mind. You no longer need to worry about drawing every street by hand or ensuring that your tactile map meets specific standards. TMAP does the hard work for you, allowing you to download and print maps in a fraction of the time it would take to create one manually.

Overcoming Challenges and Hurdles: What to Expect from TMAP

Like any new tool, TMAP does come with a learning curve, and Greg was candid about the challenges users might face when first using the software. One of the hurdles is getting familiar with the customization options, especially for those who are accustomed to creating tactile maps by hand. However, Greg reassured us that once you get the hang of the interface, TMAP becomes an invaluable resource that saves time and effort.

Another challenge is ensuring that the maps you create are as accessible as possible for your students. But Greg explained how TMAP’s customization features—such as adding Braille labels and adjusting the level of detail—make it easy to adapt the maps for a variety of students' needs.

How to Get Started with TMAP

Now, you might be wondering, "How can I start using TMAP?" The good news is that it’s easy to get started. All you need to do is reach out to the team at the Lighthouse for the Blind to request a user account. Once you have access, you can begin exploring the software and creating your own tactile maps.

Greg emphasized that TMAP is available to anyone who works in the field of O&M or VI services, making it an essential tool for professionals looking to streamline their work. Whether you’re teaching a student to navigate a city block or familiarizing them with a new school environment, TMAP has the potential to transform how you approach tactile map creation.

The Future of Tactile Maps: A Game-Changer for O&M Specialists

TMAP is more than just a tool—it’s a game-changer for the O&M community. By simplifying the process of map creation, TMAP empowers instructors to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focused on teaching and guiding students. The time saved can be used to create richer, more meaningful learning experiences for students, helping them gain the confidence they need to navigate the world independently.

So, if you’re tired of the time-consuming process of creating tactile maps from scratch, consider giving TMAP a try. With its user-friendly interface and powerful customization options, TMAP is set to become an indispensable tool in the O&M field.

Join the TMAP Revolution

Ready to get started with TMAP? Reach out to TMAP@lighthouse-sf.org to request your free user account. Once you have access, you can dive into creating high-quality tactile maps that will make a world of difference for you and your students.

Stay tuned for more insights on how TMAP can improve your O&M instruction and make your job a whole lot easier. Happy mapping!

Useful Resources:

• Explore the IOMOS Priority List to stay ahead in your O&M practice.
• Join the Clarity Workshop for in-depth training and actionable strategies.
• Register for the TVI Symposium  to connect with fellow educators and learn from experts in the field.