Thursday - July 9th, 2026
Apple News
×

What can we help you find?

Open Menu
November 12th, 2025

Beyond the Visual: How Tactile Maps Expand Data Accessibility

  1. Beyond the Visual: How Tactile Maps Expand Data Accessibility Jon 45:43

In this week’s episode, I welcome Jakub Wabiński and Vincent van Altena to the show to talk about their new book, Tactile Mapping. We explore how tactile and multisensory design can make maps—and data—more accessible for people with visual impairments and beyond. Jakub and Vincent share insights into how tactile maps are designed, tested, and used in real-world settings like museums and public spaces. We also discuss user-centered design, the challenges of scaling inclusive practices, and how tactile mapping can help everyone better understand and navigate the world around them.

Keywords: Jakub Wabiński, Vincent van Altena, PolicyViz Podcast, Jon Schwabish, tactile mapping, inclusive cartography, data accessibility, tactile design, haptic maps, visual impairments, data visualization, inclusive design, spatial data, accessibility in mapping, geovisualization, map design, tactile graphics, inclusive data storytelling, multisensory design, universal design, ICA working group, TREP project, accessible data visualization

Subscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a month

Check out Jackub and Vincent’s book Tactile Mapping

Follow me on Instagram,  LinkedIn,  Substack,  Twitter,  Website,  YouTube

Email: [email protected]

My name is Jon Schwabish, and I am an economist, writer, teacher, and data communications expert. I am widely recognized for advancing clarity and accessibility in how analysts, researchers, and scholars communicate their findings. I am the author of four books—Better Presentations, Elevate the Debate, Better Data Visualizations, and Data Visualization in Excel—which provide practical guidance for people looking to improve how they create, present, and communicate data-rich content. I am also the host of the PolicyViz Podcast, the longest running podcast dedicated to helping listeners better understand data and data visualizations.