Colour blind friendly maps

MAPS FOR ALL forms of colour blindness – On average one child in every classroom is colour blind

We believe all maps used in the classroom should be fully inclusive and are proud to say we were one of the first, if not the first, cartographic service company to include Colour Vision Deficiency (CVD) in our design brief in discussions with our customers and also to sell colourblind friendly maps into schools and to the public. Colour blindness affects approximately 1 in 12 boys / men and 1 in 200 girls / women in the world. Which means on average there is one child in every classroom with a form of colour blindnesss. In Britain there are approximately 2.7 million with CVD. In the majority of cases colour blindness is not even considered in the design process so many will struggle with every day maps, maps used in examinations, thematic maps used on websites and in reports and books, wallmaps in schools, walking maps in guides and brochures to name a few. This need not be the case and with some thought and good use of colour and symbology in map design they can work for all.  As professional cartographers we have a responsibility to do the best we can in map design. Find out more at  http://www.colourblindawareness.org/colour-blindness/ 

Our wall maps for schools are pleasing on the eye and most importantly work for everyone including all forms of colour blindness. Maps include a range of world maps, continental maps (political and physical) and maps of the British Isles. These are available to buy in our shop area.

Members of the Geographical Association get 15% discount

The first image below is our world map, the second image is that same map through the eyes of someone with the most common form of colour blindness. Visually different, but it still works.

Please consider the impact colour blindness can have when you next buy a map for your classroom, office, work place or any public space.

“I just wanted to thank you. I wish I had video taped my sons reaction to the maps – they arrived today, we ordered them through the Ottawa site you referenced.
In contrast to his first introduction to mapping last week (when he came home and expressed anxiety and feelings of inadequacy), I saw a face filled with joy and disbelief today, as we unrolled the map – but words do not give it justice.
Thank you for creating and distributing this map. I wish more schools and teachers realized what a world of difference it makes, for a child to see that their difference can be so easily accommodated…. That learning doesn’t have to be confusing, just because there is colour coding. This map means more than just seeing the different countries clearly… It demonstrates to my son how easily his small difference can be accommodated and how much less confusing things can be when it is.”
Michelle – Ottawa, Canada