Tactile Talking Maps

There are numerous examples of projects delivered using the DiscoveryPEN. One such initiative focused on producing tactile sailing maps, reflecting sailing’s popularity among visually impaired individuals, who value the sense of freedom, connection to the outdoors, and teamwork it provides.

The A2-format maps incorporated tactile layers to represent key navigational features such as contours, sandbanks, and other important landmarks, enabling users to interpret and engage with the environment more effectively. In the USA we partner with Lakeledge Examples of projects Inspiration Station – Summary

DiscoveryPEN has been used across a range of creative projects to enhance visitor engagement and accessibility. Examples include interactive bird-learning boards at Holywells Park, audio trails at Oxford University Botanic Gardens, and sound-enabled exhibits at Culloden Battlefield Museum, improving interpretation for visually impaired visitors.

Museums such as St Andrews Golf Museum and the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, have used the system to support interactive learning and inclusive design, while Bristol’s M Shed demonstrates its value in enriching experiences through audio storytelling. Across all applications, DiscoveryPEN enables accessible, engaging, and user-driven exploration. The key benefits are flexibility, no need for wifi, runs on AAA batteries, changes easy and cheap, price much less than substitutable products.