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)
   

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2. Agenda
   ● Our Story
   ● Key Takeaways
   ● Ways to Collaborate
   ● Questions
   Follow along with us!
   bit.ly/nacis2015-accessibility
   github.com/maptime/map-accessibility-guidelines
   

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3. Our Story
   ● Who are we?
   ● Why are we interested in this?
   ● How does this impact you?
   

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4. Takeaway #1
   Design for a diverse set of users.
   

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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
   

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6. Takeaway #2
   Design can kill your message.
   

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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
   

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8. Example
   

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9. Example
   

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17. Takeaway #3
    Accessibility is not a barrier to
    innovation.
    

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18. Takeaway #3 Cont.
    ● Usability first, accessibility next.
    ● Design/Organization
    ● Mobile
    ● Focus
    

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19. Takeaway #3 Cont.
    ● Usability first, accessibility next.
    ● Design/Organization
    ● Mobile
    ● Focus
    

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20. Takeaway #3 Cont.
    ● Usability first, accessibility next.
    ● Design/Organization
    ● Mobile
    ● Focus
    

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21. Takeaway #3 Cont.
    ● Usability first, accessibility next.
    ● Design/Organization
    ● Mobile
    ● Focus
    

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22. Takeaway #3 Cont.
    ● Usability first, accessibility next.
    ● Design/Organization
    ● Mobile
    ● Focus
    

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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
    

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24. Questions?
    

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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
    

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