hear the map

[TomBaker]

We don't all see the same.  Some of us have varying degrees of visual impairment.  When thinking about the nearly 50 million students in the US K-12 system, that's also quite true.

Lately, I've been tinkering with maps that produce sound to indicate what is otherwise expressed visually.  I'm using some open source 'speaking' tools that basically say whatever I can pass to it.  So in this example, when a student clicks on a biome, ArcGIS passes the biome name to a javascript tool. It's a crude first pass, but interesting I think. Thus far, this little experiment works in Chrome.  

https://trbaker.github.io/edlab/hearTheMap/

If you are working on maps or map tools for those with visual impairments, include a description and URL in the comments below.  It would be great to see what others are doing to give ArcGIS a voice.

Don't forget to explore the Esri Accessibility community.

[ShanaCrosson2]

Hi Tom -

I don't have examples, but am consulting with a course about Disability in Public History in the fall. I'm very intrigued with your examples and the potential here. Will you keep us posted?

Shana

[TomBaker]

Thanks Shana. Will do my best. Be sure to keep an eye on the Accessibility community too.  I think that's where the real progress is shared.  -t