Making Web Accessible Maps

W3C/OGC Joint Workshop Series on Maps for the Web in 2020

This contains a final report with a section that discusses accessibility that pointed out none of the existing map frameworks at that time met WCAG 2.1 success criteria.

W3C accessible maps documentation compiled by the Research and Development Working Group.

Maps for HTML Community Group, which is hosted by the W3C, has accessibility in mind from the start as they work to establish a media type associated with a new map HTML element.

A Plan for Accessible Maps touches on a number of things that also apply to other media content:

• have an equivalent text alternative
• do not use color alone to convey meaning
• use semantic markup as the first choice

Accessible Digital Map Experiences: a mountain climb or walk in the park? (written by a "cartographer turned inclusive-design advocate")

• map controls are labeled and operable without a mouse
• map information is presented without relying on color
• there is a non-graphical equivalent for the map information

The Accessibility of Web Maps

Interactive Map Accessibility Principles

How to Make Maps Accessible?

Additional resources on creating accessible web maps, as well as some that are for specific map libraries.

• Images of maps must have a descriptive text alternative appropriate to its content. Consult the WCAG image alt decision tree.
• If putting maps in PDF documents, make sure they are accessible.

Interactive map accessibility may vary depending on the format or technology used. When working with SVG image creation consider ways to make them accessible:

• W3C Accessible Features of SVG
• Creating Accessible SVGs
• Accessible SVGs: Perfect Patterns for Screen Reader Users
• Accessible SVG Line Graphs

Image Maps

• Server -side image maps
  • do not use these because they are not accessible
• Client-side image maps
  • client-side image maps are more accessible and alt attributes should be defined for each area in the map
  • course content covering the proper way to mark up client-side image maps

GIS Mapping Resources

• ArcGIS StoryMaps follows WCAG
  • See the ArcGIS VPAT reports as well. The Online product VPAT indicates they meet WCAG 2.1 level AA compliance.
• Improving Accessibility with ArcGIS Online Web Mapping Apps
• Mapping with Accessibility: 8 key hacks to map with confidence

• Transport for London offers a variety of accessible information/options for using TFL services.
• Penn State Center for the Performing Arts