How Have Tactile Maps for the Visually Impaired Been Situated in Japan?: From the Analysis of Newspaper Articles

This paper analyzes the content of newspaper articles that mentioned tactile maps for the visually impaired, and examines how such types of maps have been situated in Japan. From the mid-1990s to mid-2000s, the number of newspaper articles mentioning tactile maps has increased, and such types of maps have become known to the public. This trend was based on the enforcement of the acts on accessible design of public facilities. In parallel with this trend, the newspaper articles have reported efforts by welfare organizations to transcribe existing graphical maps into Braille. There seem to be two types of thought behind these situations. The first is the thought of “transforming a tool for the sighted into a tool for the visually impaired.” Another is the thought of “preparing tools for the visually impaired in addition to those for the sighted.” They both presuppose a clear distinction between the abled and the disabled, and have a danger of falling into ableism. It is important to note that the latest high-tech tactile maps are also placed in this context. The author believes that we need mapmaking with the visually impaired instead of mapmaking for the visually impaired in order to avoid ableism.