A World at Your Fingertips... 12 Paper Braille Globes Distributed to Schools for the Blind

On the 9th, the National Geographic Information Institute of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it will distribute paper braille globes to 12 schools for the blind nationwide. More than 6,000 elementary schools will receive maps of South Korea and world maps.

Completed Paper Braille Globe / Photo by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

The paper braille globe being distributed this time is designed in the form of paper maps so that visually impaired students can cultivate curiosity and imagination about the global village through the experience of making a globe, and enjoy fun and a sense of accomplishment. The earth maps, printed on four sheets of paper with eight sides, can be assembled into a paper braille globe by attaching the same symbols (such as 1b, 2b) together.

The National Geographic Information Institute also plans to distribute braille maps to about 100 organizations related to the visually impaired. These maps, which include major terrain, landmarks, and geographic information, are made using raised lines, embossed and debossed surfaces, braille, and tactile symbols, allowing information to be understood through the sense of touch. Four types?maps of South Korea, South Korea’s mainland, the world, and the area surrounding South Korea?are made in a mixed braille and tactile dot format so that schools for the blind can use them as supplementary materials for geography classes.

In particular, QR codes are inserted so that brief information about the maps can be guided by voice. The linear braille for national borders, coastlines, and latitude and longitude lines is expressed boldly. The size of symbols and letters is increased and colors are darkened to enhance readability for people with low vision. Islands that were difficult to represent on the South Korea map due to space limitations on the South Korea map are included in their actual locations.

The map of South Korea contains the latest geographic information, including recently installed roads, train stations, and bridges. The world map reflects changes in the names of countries and cities after consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Institute of the Korean Language. The output files of the maps can be downloaded free of charge by anyone from the National Geographic Information Platform.

Jo Wooseok, director of the National Geographic Information Institute, said, "I hope students will correctly recognize our territory and improve spatial awareness through maps containing the latest information," and added, "We will continue to produce various maps tailored to the public’s perspective and expand spatial information services that consider socially vulnerable groups such as the visually impaired and color vision deficiency individuals."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.