Cognitive Map

An internal mental representation of spatial relationships within an environment, formed through direct experience, exploration, or learning from maps and descriptions. Cognitive maps allow people to understand where they are relative to other locations, plan routes, and orient themselves in familiar and unfamiliar spaces. For blind and low-vision individuals, building cognitive maps relies heavily on non-visual cues such as tactile maps, verbal descriptions, auditory landmarks, and sequential exploration. Accessible spatial representations like tactile maps and audio-tactile systems support the development of accurate cognitive maps.