Mapping for Access: A Methodology for Improving Inclusion on University Campuses

Abstract

Maps are critical for university campuses, as they help students, staff, and visitors navigate the often-scattered array of buildings that have grown over time. However, most campus maps do not contain critical pedestrian-level navigation information such as sidewalks, stairs, and entrances. This void is especially problematic for one in five people with mobility-related disabilities, whether temporary, permanent, or invisible. In this research, we set out to create more inclusive and accessible campus maps. Using Vancouver Island University’s Nanaimo, BC campus as a case study, we present a methodology for creating an access map and discuss the impact the map, data, and project overall has had on the campus community and facilities services. In sharing this research methodology, we want to enable and advocate for all campuses to create access maps.

Cite this work

No public copy is stored for this record, so only the metadata is cited.

Stored only when both papers are in the corpus — 6 citations exist upstream.

Papers that cite the same references — the relational fallback while embeddings are still backfilling.