The first session of our seminar series focused on the work we do and the concept of inclusive cartography. Our Working Group on Inclusive Cartography is working to broaden map accessibility, a mission to incorporate the needs of various users beyond just visual impairment, and this was outlined during the seminar by Jakob Wabiński and Vincent van Altena.

During the seminar highlighted. In addition, we spoke about current activities such as:

Expanded focus: The scope now addresses cognitive, cultural, racial, and geographical factors.
User engagement: Workshops involve end-users to develop improved design guidelines.
T-RE repository: An open platform planned for early 2025. This repository will centralize tactile map symbols and design guidelines for global sharing.
Research: Plans include using AI to assist with systematic literature reviews on inclusiveness in cartography.

Vincent also discussed the production of a new Tactile Mapping Book. The book is designed for practitioners and general readers, aiming to share practical knowledge and is a collaborative effort with over 30 authors. Notable challenges in production included coordinating contributions across different languages and ensuring the rights of visually impaired authors were addressed. You can watch a recording of the session below.