Suggestions for Creating an Accessible Campus map

In order to serve the needs of an increasingly diverse student population, colleges and universities have begun to recognize the importance of developing dynamic campus maps that can better serve the needs of all students. Although it may seem that maps by their very nature can only be understood by looking at them, there is much information on campus maps that can be rendered in a non-visual way. In addition campus maps can serve as important resources for pointing out the accessibility of campus buildings and pathways for students with disabilities. The following items can be used as guidelines for creating a description of such maps.

  1. Provide alternative description to your campus map – In most cases this means creating a special D-link to the alternative text that describes your campus map. Because campus maps call for a longer description than what can be entered into an ALT-text string, it is best to attach this description to a D-link and provide a detailed explanatory note. In the case of most maps, it is probably necessary to add descriptive links to important buildings and landmarks. In these descriptions the location of the building or landmark can be described in the larger context of the campus itself. For example, the location of the building in relation to other buildings and the major streets and sidewalks from which the building can be accessed could serve as your description of the building on campus.
  2. Access maps should contain information on the accessibility of the buildings and major foot paths on campus – In order to provide useful information for those with physical disabilities, campus maps should describe potential trouble spots on campus. For example, footpaths with steep hills and stairs should be noted. This should be done in both a visual and non-visual way, i.e. in a text description in addition to a visual queue on the map itself. Similarly, buildings with no wheelchair access should be highlighted.
  3. Maps should note important resources for students with disabilities – Campus maps should note special resources like DSS offices, accessible restrooms, accessible kiosks, etc.
  4. Maps should have highlighted focus points and should be clearly marked – When designing a campus map, it is important to keep the map itself as clear and uncluttered as possible. Highlight the most important buildings on campus, along with the most important roots, including both streets and footpaths. In the same way try to avoid cluttering the map with too many distractions or non-essential details.
  5. Provide clearly labeled individual links to buildings and other major thoroughfairs on campus – By providing a clearly labeled visual map with active links to specific buildings, pathways, and streets, you can add much useful additional information that can assist all students.These links can either bring students to another page with a more detailed map of the building, pathway, or street with textual descriptions or it can be linked to an anchor on the same page.

If you have any questions or additions to this document, please contact John Gugerty at jgugerty@education.wisc.edu