Making maps accessible

With 80% of information having an associated geographic location, the need to present massive amounts of information and the technologies to support this, online services are using maps to disseminate information in a concise and visual way. This includes location-based services such as Google Maps, weather mapping portals such as the Bureau of Meteorology, and critical emergency services information.

As the government adopts WCAG 2.0, many government organisations using maps to disseminate information are grappling with how to make this information accessible to people of all disabilities.

This multidisciplinary panel will introduce location based mapping and how it is being used across different sector to deliver information, real examples of challenges being face in government in this area, the perspectives of a screen reader user to discuss how to make maps accessible.