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Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility

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From: David R. Stong
Date: Jan 12, 2005 11:15AM

norman wrote:
>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.


Norman, I developed a map of our offices in Flash. There were links
within the Flash file to HTML documents that contained a GIF file
floor plan and a text description that reads:

Second floor conference room 202K
Text directions
1. Exit the elevator or Beaver Avenue stairwell into the second floor hallway
2. From the elevator, take four paces forward then turn right to
proceed down the hallway 15 paces. From the stairwell, proceed from
the doorway strait ahead down the hall 19 paces
3. Turn right. The doorway to 202 is directly ahead 4 paces
4. Through the door continue down the hall 7 paces. At this point
there is a receptionist's desk on your left. You can ask for
assistance, or proceed down the hall 11 more paces.
5. Turn to the right and proceed two paces.
6. The doorway to conference room 202K is now on your left.
7. Turn left and proceed two paces through the door.

I would like to make it available as a "self-speaking" sound file as
well. Once the HTML docs are created, they can be linked to from,
say, an image map instead of Flash. Or from a text list.

Your statement that it has to be usable is extremely important. Like
directions on a fire extinguisher.



--
David R. Stong
Microcomputer Information Specialist (Graphic Designer),
Education Technology Services, a unit of
Teaching and Learning with Technology
Information Technology Services
The Pennsylvania State University
Phone 8148651843

212 Rider Building II
227 W Beaver Avenue
State College, PA 16801-4819

Working for Universal Design: http://tlt.its.psu.edu/suggestions/accessibility
Penn State shouldn't pay for a designer's artistic indulgences;
design things that work.

Download Penn State's visual identity marks:
http://www.personal.psu.edu/drs18/mark.html