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Thread: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility

Number of posts in this thread: 19 (In chronological order)

From: Robinson, Norman B - Washington, DC - Contractor
Date: Tue, Jan 11 2005 2:46PM
Subject: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
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Does anyone have a good example of how a visual layout map such as an
evacuation plan has been made accessible for web use?

I am specifically focusing on the Section 508 issues of images and
alternate text, wanting to know how others have (hopefully) solved the
problem.

Regards,

Norman B. Robinson
US Postal Service
Section 508 Coordinator, US Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza SW
Washington, DC 20260-1533

email: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
phone: 202.268.8246

From: Michael Moore
Date: Tue, Jan 11 2005 3:26PM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
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For something detailed and important like an evacuation map, I would
recommend using the longdesc attribute and linking to a file that
contains the evacuation directions in text format. If the instructions
are relatively short they could be placed in the alt for the map.

Mike

norman.b.robinson wrote:
> Does anyone have a good example of how a visual layout map such as an
> evacuation plan has been made accessible for web use?
>
> I am specifically focusing on the Section 508 issues of images and
> alternate text, wanting to know how others have (hopefully) solved the
> problem.
>
> Regards,
>
>
> Norman B. Robinson
> US Postal Service
> Section 508 Coordinator, US Postal Service
> 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW
> Washington, DC 20260-1533
>
> email: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> phone: 202.268.8246
>
> ----
> To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.webaim.org/discussion/
>
>
>
>

From: Steven Faulkner
Date: Tue, Jan 11 2005 3:44PM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
← Previous message | Next message →

Due to the limited support for the Longdesc attribute by User Agents and
assistive technology I would suggest that a standard link to "evacuation
directions in text format" be placed prominently on a page containing an
evacuation plan.

with regards

Steven Faulkner
Web Accessibility Consultant
National Information & Library Service (NILS)
454 Glenferrie Road
Kooyong Victoria 3144
Phone: (613) 9864 9281
Fax: (613) 9864 9210
Email: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =

National Information Library Service
A subsidiary of RBS.RVIB.VAF Ltd.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: mmoore [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
> Sent: Wednesday, 12 January 2005 9:28 AM
> To: WebAIM Discussion List
> Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
>
>
>
> For something detailed and important like an evacuation map, I would
> recommend using the longdesc attribute and linking to a file that
> contains the evacuation directions in text format. If the instructions
> are relatively short they could be placed in the alt for the map.
>
> Mike
>
> norman.b.robinson wrote:
> > Does anyone have a good example of how a visual layout map such as an
> > evacuation plan has been made accessible for web use?
> >
> > I am specifically focusing on the Section 508 issues of images and
> > alternate text, wanting to know how others have (hopefully) solved the
> > problem.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> >
> > Norman B. Robinson
> > US Postal Service
> > Section 508 Coordinator, US Postal Service
> > 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW
> > Washington, DC 20260-1533
> >
> > email: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> > phone: 202.268.8246
> >
> > ----
> > To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.webaim.org/discussion/
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> ----
> To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.webaim.org/discussion/

From: Andrew Arch
Date: Tue, Jan 11 2005 5:04PM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
← Previous message | Next message →

Mike,

Not all screen readers support longdesc, and anyway not all people can read
maps. I would strongly recommend placing the instructions on the same page
as the map if possible, or very clearly linking to separate pages of
instructions if there are different instructions depending on your location
within the building.

Andrew

-----Original Message-----
From: mmoore [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Wednesday, 12 January 2005 9:28 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility

For something detailed and important like an evacuation map, I would
recommend using the longdesc attribute and linking to a file that
contains the evacuation directions in text format. If the instructions
are relatively short they could be placed in the alt for the map.

Mike

norman.b.robinson wrote:
> Does anyone have a good example of how a visual layout map such as an
> evacuation plan has been made accessible for web use?
>
> I am specifically focusing on the Section 508 issues of images and
> alternate text, wanting to know how others have (hopefully) solved the
> problem.
>
> Regards,
>
>
> Norman B. Robinson
> US Postal Service
> Section 508 Coordinator, US Postal Service
> 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW
> Washington, DC 20260-1533
>
> email: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> phone: 202.268.8246
>
> ----
> To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.webaim.org/discussion/
>
>
>
>

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From: steven.faulkner
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2005 8:44AM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
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From: norman.b.robinson
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2005 8:44AM
Subject: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
← Previous message | Next message →

From: mmoore
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2005 8:44AM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
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From: andrew.arch85
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2005 8:44AM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
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From: Jon Gunderson
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2005 9:02AM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
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Here is one example of what we are doing at UIUC.

http://www.fs.uiuc.edu/ada/0267Plan1.html

Use the "ADA Home Page" link for more examples.

Jon

---- Original message ----
>Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 16:48:11 -0500
>From: "norman.b.robinson"
>Subject: [WebAIM] Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
>To: "WebAIM Discussion List"
>
>
>
>Does anyone have a good example of how a visual layout map
such as an
>evacuation plan has been made accessible for web use?
>
>I am specifically focusing on the Section 508 issues of
images and
>alternate text, wanting to know how others have (hopefully)
solved the
>problem.
>
>Regards,
>
>
>Norman B. Robinson
>US Postal Service
>Section 508 Coordinator, US Postal Service
>475 L'Enfant Plaza SW
>Washington, DC 20260-1533
>
>email: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
>phone: 202.268.8246
>
>----
>To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit
http://www.webaim.org/discussion/
>
>----
>To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit
http://www.webaim.org/discussion/
>

Jon Gunderson, Ph.D., ATP
Director of IT Accessibility Services
Campus Information Technologies and Educational Services (CITES)
and
Coordinator of Assistive Communication and Information Technology
Division of Rehabilitation - Education Services

Voice: (217) 244-5870
Fax: (217) 333-0248

E-mail: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =

WWW: http://cita.rehab.uiuc.edu/
WWW: https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/jongund/www/

From: Robinson, Norman B - Washington, DC - Contractor
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2005 9:05AM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
← Previous message | Next message →

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

From: michael.brockington
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2005 10:44AM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
← Previous message | Next message →

I have sometimes seen such plans written in plain text, (probably because the
user thought that it was easier than doing a diagram) and they generally
state things like 'move to the central core of the building' or 'move to the
nearest fire escape, these are situated at the end of each wing'.
If these instructions are for users who regularly sit in the same place I
think they can be expected to understand these terms if written carefully.

The example that Jon provided ( http://www.fs.uiuc.edu/ada/0267Plan1.html )
seems like an excellent example of what not to do. That page describes the
icons used very nicely, but gives no indication of where those icons appear
on the image, let alone in relation to the building features. For these
descriptions to be any use as they stand, you need to be able to see the
image, and not be colourblind.
What I think is being asked for is things like: 'The emergency exit from Room
321 is in the opposite corner to the entrance door' and 'Accessible toilets
are at the left hand end of the main corridor, when entering from the main
stairwell'. These statements are more appropriate for occassional users, but
are just off the top of my head, rather than from any official manual.

Mike

> -----Original Message-----
> From: norman.b.robinson [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
> Sent: 12 January 2005 16:04
> To: WebAIM Discussion List
> Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
>
>
>
> 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
>
> ----
> To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.webaim.org/discussion/
>
>

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From: David R. Stong
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2005 11:15AM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
← Previous message | Next message →

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

From: Andrew Kirkpatrick
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2005 11:35AM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
← Previous message | Next message →

> 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

Relative units are great for font sizes, but not directions! These
directions seem like a good start toward really describing to people
where to go, but what is they are shorter than the person who made the
directions? For 4 paces there won't be much difference, but 19 paces
could be very different distances for different people, including short
and tall people, people in a wheelchair, and people crawling on their
hands and knees to avoid smoke.

It might also be good to add additional routes in case one is blocked
or provide tips for evacuation like whether the fire alarms adjacent to
exits make a different sound (if that is in fact true).

AWK
--
Andrew Kirkpatrick
WGBH National Center for Accessible Media
125 Western Ave.
Boston, MA 02134
E-mail: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
617.300.4420

From: Glenda
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2005 11:58AM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
← Previous message | Next message →

Perhaps a Mobility and Orientation Specialist could provide some useful
insight on how to give directions. Just a thought.

Cheers,
Glenda

-----Original Message-----
From: andrew_kirkpatrick [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 10:37 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility

> 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

Relative units are great for font sizes, but not directions! These
directions seem like a good start toward really describing to people
where to go, but what is they are shorter than the person who made the
directions? For 4 paces there won't be much difference, but 19 paces
could be very different distances for different people, including short
and tall people, people in a wheelchair, and people crawling on their
hands and knees to avoid smoke.

It might also be good to add additional routes in case one is blocked
or provide tips for evacuation like whether the fire alarms adjacent to
exits make a different sound (if that is in fact true).

AWK
--
Andrew Kirkpatrick
WGBH National Center for Accessible Media
125 Western Ave.
Boston, MA 02134
E-mail: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
617.300.4420

----
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From: Robinson, Norman B - Washington, DC - Contractor
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2005 12:21PM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
← Previous message | Next message →

Glenda,

That is an EXCELLENT idea! I don't have any experience in that
area, and would have taken far to long to have figured that out without
your mentioning it. After a quick web search, that is exactly the
expertise that could probably help. I'll post to the list with any
relevant updates.

Thanks for pointing us in the right direction!

Regards,

Norman B. Robinson
Section 508 Coordinator
IT Governance, US Postal Service

-----Original Message-----
From: glenda [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 2:07 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility

Perhaps a Mobility and Orientation Specialist could provide some useful
insight on how to give directions. Just a thought.

Cheers,
Glenda

-----Original Message-----
From: andrew_kirkpatrick [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 10:37 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility

> 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

Relative units are great for font sizes, but not directions! These
directions seem like a good start toward really describing to people
where to go, but what is they are shorter than the person who made the
directions? For 4 paces there won't be much difference, but 19 paces
could be very different distances for different people, including short
and tall people, people in a wheelchair, and people crawling on their
hands and knees to avoid smoke.

It might also be good to add additional routes in case one is blocked or
provide tips for evacuation like whether the fire alarms adjacent to
exits make a different sound (if that is in fact true).

AWK
--
Andrew Kirkpatrick
WGBH National Center for Accessible Media
125 Western Ave.
Boston, MA 02134
E-mail: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
617.300.4420

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From: Glenda
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2005 12:48PM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
← Previous message | Next message →

Glad I could help, Norman. Sometimes a project requires the collaboration
of two or more areas of expertise. Good luck.

Just as a side note, I hope employees will be strongly encouraged to access
and learn this information PRIOR to an emergency! I can just see some
trying to access these maps as the overhead sprinklers are going off.

Cheers,
Glenda

-----Original Message-----
From: norman.b.robinson [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 11:23 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility

Glenda,

That is an EXCELLENT idea! I don't have any experience in that
area, and would have taken far to long to have figured that out without
your mentioning it. After a quick web search, that is exactly the
expertise that could probably help. I'll post to the list with any
relevant updates.

Thanks for pointing us in the right direction!

Regards,

Norman B. Robinson
Section 508 Coordinator
IT Governance, US Postal Service

-----Original Message-----
From: glenda [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 2:07 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility

Perhaps a Mobility and Orientation Specialist could provide some useful
insight on how to give directions. Just a thought.

Cheers,
Glenda

-----Original Message-----
From: andrew_kirkpatrick [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 10:37 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility

> 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

Relative units are great for font sizes, but not directions! These
directions seem like a good start toward really describing to people
where to go, but what is they are shorter than the person who made the
directions? For 4 paces there won't be much difference, but 19 paces
could be very different distances for different people, including short
and tall people, people in a wheelchair, and people crawling on their
hands and knees to avoid smoke.

It might also be good to add additional routes in case one is blocked or
provide tips for evacuation like whether the fire alarms adjacent to
exits make a different sound (if that is in fact true).

AWK
--
Andrew Kirkpatrick
WGBH National Center for Accessible Media
125 Western Ave.
Boston, MA 02134
E-mail: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
617.300.4420

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From: David R. Stong
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2005 1:18PM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
← Previous message | Next message →

Glenda wrote:
>I hope employees will be strongly encouraged to access
>and learn this information PRIOR to an emergency! I can just see some
>trying to access these maps as the overhead sprinklers are going off.

Great point Glenda. Hopefully this sort of thing is included in staff
orientation manuals and Web sites.

I wonder what the general public does in an emergency- those who are
blind and not employed in the building? Of course they wouldn't be
scrambling to check the Web, but I guess I wonder if large office
buildings shouldn't have something more useful than alarms- sound
devices specifically placed near exits? Textured flooring leading to
exits?

Definitely off topic; sorry.

--
David R. Stong
Multimedia Specialist 3

Education Technology Services, a small unit within
Information Technology Services, at
The Pennsylvania State University
212 Rider Building II
State College, PA 16801-4819

From: Glenda
Date: Wed, Jan 12 2005 1:45PM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
← Previous message | Next message →

David,

I've seen a few buildings with an evacuation map posted at various points.
Of course, they're no use visually impaired people. Evacuating people with
disabilities has become more of a conscious issue in the US since 9/11. I
have seen several reports, studies, guides since the tragedy.

For the general public, perhaps it means being more aware of your
surroundings and paying attention to where the exits are and such. For
employees, perhaps there needs to be a regular evacuation drill -- like we
had in elementary school. McDonald's has that annual fire safety week,
perhaps businesses need to participate in that drill too.

Ok, back to your regular programmed Web accessibility banter.

Cheers,
Glenda

-----Original Message-----
From: drs18 [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 12:20 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility

Glenda wrote:
>I hope employees will be strongly encouraged to access
>and learn this information PRIOR to an emergency! I can just see some
>trying to access these maps as the overhead sprinklers are going off.

Great point Glenda. Hopefully this sort of thing is included in staff
orientation manuals and Web sites.

I wonder what the general public does in an emergency- those who are
blind and not employed in the building? Of course they wouldn't be
scrambling to check the Web, but I guess I wonder if large office
buildings shouldn't have something more useful than alarms- sound
devices specifically placed near exits? Textured flooring leading to
exits?

Definitely off topic; sorry.

--
David R. Stong
Multimedia Specialist 3

Education Technology Services, a small unit within
Information Technology Services, at
The Pennsylvania State University
212 Rider Building II
State College, PA 16801-4819

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From: michael.brockington
Date: Thu, Jan 13 2005 3:03AM
Subject: Re: Evacuation Maps and Web Accessibility
← Previous message | No next message

> -----Original Message-----
> From: drs18 [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
>
> I wonder what the general public does in an emergency- those who are
> blind and not employed in the building?

Any office or public building is required by law to have an emergency
evacuation plan, which must include an assessment of risk to all users,
including visitors. If you aren't aware of this plan then you should find out
who is responsible for that risk assessment. After all, the single most
important thing with any escape directions is that they are correct and
up-to-date!

Mike

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