ENVIRONMENT AND BOUNDARIES: TACTILE MAPS

Creating an accessible and inclusive sports environment starts with understanding how a child’s specific visual condition affects their interaction with space. Adapting the environment accordingly can greatly improve both their safety and ability to participate meaningfully.

Depending on the child’s visual abilities, consider implementing the following adaptations:

• Adjust the size of the playing field or court to make navigation easier.

• Limit the play area to a smaller, more manageable zone.

• Introduce tactile boundaries using ropes, mats, raised edges, or different floor textures.

• Use brightly colored cones or high-contrast tape to mark important zones or lines for children with low vision.

• Position guides or spotters at key locations to provide physical or verbal support.

• Utilize whiteboards or tactile maps to give a clear representation of space before starting the activity.

• Assess and adjust lighting in indoor environments—some students may prefer brighter spaces, while others perform better in dim lighting.

• Be mindful of glare, sun direction, and cloud cover in outdoor activities.

• Allow students to explore the activity space in advance, notify them of any changes, remove hazards, and keep the space organized and predictable.

What Are Tactile Maps?

Tactile maps (or tactile boards) are touch-based representations of a space, designed to help children with visual impairments develop a clear mental picture of their environment. These maps may include: Raised lines to show boundaries, pathways, or court layouts; Textures to represent different surfaces or activity zones; Braille labels for names, positions, and points of interest; Markers for obstacles, equipment, or reference points.

These tools offer a multi-sensory approach to learning and orientation. After exploring a tactile map, students can physically walk through the space – either independently or guided by a teacher – to reinforce their understanding.

For example: In a basketball court layout, the map might include raised lines to show the boundaries, different textures for the key and free-throw area, and Braille markers for the hoops or benches.

Tactile Mapping in Different Sports Facilities

In the Gym: Show key areas such as equipment zones, open workout spaces, and entrances/exits. Tactile maps help the student prepare for spatial transitions and identify any fixed objects or boundaries ahead of time.

In the Swimming Pool: Use a tactile map to represent: the entrance and changing room;  shower areas and lockers; ramps, ladders, pool edges, and lifeguard stations.

Knowing where these elements are positioned helps the child navigate safely, builds autonomy, and ensures an inclusive experience.

Providing tactile maps isn’t just about accessibility, it’s about fairness, autonomy, and dignity. When a child understands their environment, they’re empowered to participate on equal footing with their peers. Coaches and teachers should consider tactile orientation an essential step in lesson planning for inclusive physical education.

Observe how a tactile map can be used to understand the facility or the shape of an athletic track.