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Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility

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From: Robinson, Norman B - Washington, DC - Contractor
Date: Jan 12, 2005 9:05AM

Thank you all for your responses. I can see I need to further clarify my
request. I'm not looking for the techniques; I'm familiar with all the
legal requirements of Section 508 and the best practices of
accessibility in using web content.

What I am asking for is examples of actual text equivalent directions.

The issue of at a glance graphical evacuation maps that are spacial
converted to text which is linear. My concern is that although the text
equivalent is legally accessible (the screen reader can read the
directions) the material is not very usable. I'm looking for ideas as to
how others have linearized visual data in a way that makes sense to the
end-user. As an example, a fire evacuation plan in a building floor that
has 10 elevators, 40 doors, 8 stairwells - and a user that may be in a
cubical that doesn't have specific instructions downloading the map and
needing to figure out "you are here" as well as "the exit is there" in
terms that may work for someone that does not have vision.

I've reviewed evacuation plans from every other major disability site
and government web site looking for examples. I find many evacuation
*plans* for people with disabilities but no clear *examples*. I hope
this helps others with this same problem.

Regards,

Norman Robinson