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Re: Accessibility and geographical maps

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From: Birkir R. Gunnarsson
Date: Jan 21, 2013 5:43AM

Hi Jason

I am not sure what solutions have generally been provided mind, but
the emphasis for making maps and other graphs accessible lies in the
SVG format.
There is a lot of work going on with respect to creating
tactile/auditory feedback maps (see, for instance,
http://www.viewplus.com/products/software/hands-on-learning/
There is also on-going work to translate SVG graphs into sound (though
it would probably not work so well for maps).
I am not sure to what extent you could convert large sets of existing
data into maps, nor how useful they would be to the end users, but the
path towards multi-sensory exploration of graphs definitely seems to
go through SVG.
Also it is,of course, important to use the text to express as much
relevant information as possible to the end-users (add stats or point
out the locations where x y and z are found in text, at lesat the top,
may be, 5 or so, not just refer to the map for all info).
May be some other folkshave a better idea, and I will be watching this
thread with interest myself, but this is a start.
Cheers
-Birkir


On 1/20/13, COLLIER, Jason < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Where I work we have lots of geographical maps that contain a lot of data.
> Does anyone know about best practices for providing an alternative format
> for maps?
>
> Any information would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Jason Collier
> Website Project Officer. Communications and Marketing
> Department of Mines and Petroleum
> 100 Plain Street, East Perth, WA, 6004
> Postal: 100 Plain Street, East Perth, WA, 6004
> Tel +61 8 9222 3070
> <EMAIL REMOVED> <mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> >
> www.dmp.wa.gov.au<;http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/>;
>
>
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