NACIS 2015: Starting Conversations for More Accessible Maps

A set of guidelines for developers, cartographers, GIS specialists, geographers, and civic hackers to consider when creating projects that include web maps.

Presented by: Kitty Hurley, Alison Link, and Mitch Schaps at the 2015 NACIS Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

GitHub: http://www.github.com/maptime/map-accessibility-guidelines

Transcript

1. Starting Conversations for More Accessible Maps Kitty Hurley, State of Minnesota (@geospatialem) Alison Link, University of Minnesota (@linkalis) Mitch Schaps, Catholic Charities of Minneapolis & St. Paul (@mschapsgis)
2. Agenda • Our Story • Key Takeaways • Ways to Collaborate • Questions Follow along with us! bit.ly/nacis2015-accessibility github.com/maptime/map-accessibility-guidelines
3. Our Story • Who are we? • Why are we interested in this? • How does this impact you?
4. Takeaway #1 Design for a diverse set of users.
5. Takeaway #1 Cont. • Recognize that the very idea of a “map” is a culturally-loaded concept • Appreciate that people perceive space in very different ways: ◦ allocentric = abstract, birds’-eye-view ◦ egocentric = starting from the self as a reference frame ◦ “maps” vs. “routes” preferences
6. Takeaway #2 Design can kill your message.
7. Takeaway #2 Cont. • Choosing the wrong color scheme can alienate a large portion of your potential audience. • Also, your choice of color/design can make your maps hard to comprehend for everyone • Simpler is always better
8. Example
9. Example
17. Takeaway #3 Accessibility is not a barrier to innovation.
18. Takeaway #3 Cont. • Usability first, accessibility next. • Design/Organization • Mobile • Focus
19. Takeaway #3 Cont. • Usability first, accessibility next. • Design/Organization • Mobile • Focus
20. Takeaway #3 Cont. • Usability first, accessibility next. • Design/Organization • Mobile • Focus
21. Takeaway #3 Cont. • Usability first, accessibility next. • Design/Organization • Mobile • Focus
22. Takeaway #3 Cont. • Usability first, accessibility next. • Design/Organization • Mobile • Focus
23. Let’s collaborate! • GitHub Repo • Submit an Issue • Send us a Pull Request • Tweet us: ◦ Alison @linkalis ◦ Kitty @geospatialem ◦ Mitch @mschapsgis Share your stories/ideas at... github.com/maptime/map-accessibility-guidelines
24. Questions?
25. Thank you! Kitty Hurley, State of Minnesota (@geospatialem) Alison Link, University of Minnesota (@linkalis) Mitch Schaps, Catholic Charities of Minneapolis & St. Paul (@mschapsgis) bit.ly/nacis2015-accessibility github.com/maptime/map-accessibility-guidelines