"}],"short_description":"Review best practices for designing and testing for accessibility maps and apps throughout the ArcGIS system during the development process. ","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"Considering accessibility early and throughout the development process is key to achieving the most accessible outcome and reducing barriers for people with disabilities. When starting a project in any application throughout the ArcGIS system, accessibility should be considered at the beginning of the development process.\u00a0 Designing and testing for accessibility both early in the authoring process and through out the development cycle provides an inclusive experience for all.<\/p>\n
The most important steps in designing for accessibility are:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2337902,"id":2337902,"title":"design with purpose","filename":"design-with-purpose.jpg","filesize":361894,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/design-with-purpose.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis\/mapping\/designing-and-testing-for-accessibility-in-gis-and-mapping\/design-with-purpose","alt":"Total Population by US Census Tracts for Southern California including Los Angeles greater metro area.","author":"335892","description":"","caption":"Design a map with a purpose in mind, such as demonstrating the population of a particular area. ","name":"design-with-purpose","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2329432,"date":"2024-05-13 19:12:31","modified":"2024-05-13 19:14:03","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1195,"height":847,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/design-with-purpose-213x200.jpg","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/design-with-purpose.jpg","medium-width":368,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/design-with-purpose.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":544,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/design-with-purpose.jpg","large-width":1195,"large-height":847,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/design-with-purpose.jpg","1536x1536-width":1195,"1536x1536-height":847,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/design-with-purpose.jpg","2048x2048-width":1195,"2048x2048-height":847,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/design-with-purpose-656x465.jpg","card_image-width":656,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/design-with-purpose.jpg","wide_image-width":1195,"wide_image-height":847}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/about\/newsroom\/arcnews\/how-to-choose-the-right-web-app-in-arcgis-online\/"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"
Maps can be considered a type of data visualization, and when starting to design a data visualization, it is important to decide what is the question the data should answer or what is the purpose of the map or app.<\/p>\n
By addressing these questions, a map author can get ideas about where accessibility is needed and organize data to ensure it is communicated effectively. For example, if the goal of the map is to showcase data on population for the purpose of determining where to locate specific types of retail, a granular view of the data at the neighborhood level might be more beneficial than viewing the data at the city level.<\/p>\n
When starting to design the map or app, use this opportunity to list different ArcGIS applications that may work to achieve the goal of the data and review each app to help determine the format that will best communicate the data.<\/p>\n
For more information, review the article How to Choose the Right Web App in ArcGIS Online.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" After considering the format of the design, define the intended audience who will be consuming the data. This could be internal stakeholders, external teams, or focused individuals, but it is important to determine who will be interacting with the data. For instance, if the map targets individuals who are not familiar with the technology or who might need additional assistance, this consideration can be included in the design to improve its accessibility and usability.<\/p>\n The United States Centers for Disease Control provides statistics that 1 in 4 people, or 27% of adults in the United States have some type of disability. Therefore, understanding the target audience helps to improve accessibility support for individuals to access and interpret the data.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2329832,"id":2329832,"title":"CDC infographic","filename":"CDC-infographic.jpg","filesize":164470,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/CDC-infographic.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis\/mapping\/designing-and-testing-for-accessibility-in-gis-and-mapping\/cdc-infographic","alt":"outline map of US illustrating 1 in 4 people with disabilities with icons across the US","author":"335892","description":"","caption":"1 in 4 adults or 27% of the population of the US have some type of disability. [CDC, Disability Impacts all of Us]","name":"cdc-infographic","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2329432,"date":"2024-05-07 19:59:35","modified":"2024-05-13 19:06:48","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":999,"height":803,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/CDC-infographic-213x200.jpg","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/CDC-infographic.jpg","medium-width":325,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/CDC-infographic.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":617,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/CDC-infographic.jpg","large-width":999,"large-height":803,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/CDC-infographic.jpg","1536x1536-width":999,"1536x1536-height":803,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/CDC-infographic.jpg","2048x2048-width":999,"2048x2048-height":803,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/CDC-infographic-578x465.jpg","card_image-width":578,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/CDC-infographic.jpg","wide_image-width":999,"wide_image-height":803}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/ncbddd\/disabilityandhealth\/infographic-disability-impacts-all.html"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" As part of the design and development process, consider the selection of data or content planned for the map or app and evaluate how to improve accessibility. Plan for various types of data and ensure that the data meets the expectations of what viewers should learn from the map. If there are multiple data sources, consider dividing the data into multiple views to support the purpose of the map. For instance, if there are too many types of symbology present, or the data is too similar in the way it is represented, it can clutter the map and make it difficult for users to understand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2341422,"id":2341422,"title":"enhanced effect instant apps","filename":"enhanced-effect-instant-apps.jpg","filesize":394371,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/enhanced-effect-instant-apps.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis\/mapping\/designing-and-testing-for-accessibility-in-gis-and-mapping\/enhanced-effect-instant-apps","alt":"San Diego, California total population denoted by circles of varying color and size according to the population size.","author":"335892","description":"","caption":"Plan ahead to ensure the information in the map meets the expectation of the viewer.","name":"enhanced-effect-instant-apps","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2329432,"date":"2024-05-15 23:10:48","modified":"2024-05-15 23:14:01","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1194,"height":847,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/enhanced-effect-instant-apps-213x200.jpg","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/enhanced-effect-instant-apps.jpg","medium-width":368,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/enhanced-effect-instant-apps.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":545,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/enhanced-effect-instant-apps.jpg","large-width":1194,"large-height":847,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/enhanced-effect-instant-apps.jpg","1536x1536-width":1194,"1536x1536-height":847,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/enhanced-effect-instant-apps.jpg","2048x2048-width":1194,"2048x2048-height":847,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/enhanced-effect-instant-apps-656x465.jpg","card_image-width":656,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2024\/05\/enhanced-effect-instant-apps.jpg","wide_image-width":1194,"wide_image-height":847}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/www.arcgis.com\/apps\/instant\/portfolio\/index.html?appid=971806b59e5f41e3afda1145dc7f6fba"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Testing for accessibility throughout the development cycle can improve accessibility in the creation of maps and apps in GIS. There are a variety of testing tools and in-browser accessibility checkers that can support testing throughout the development cycle and many of them are free. Using these tools when making color choices or working with symbology and labels can guide the process during development, rather than having to go back and correct work if testing at the end of the project.<\/p>\n There are three recommendations for testing processes:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Automated testing tools or \u201caccessibility checkers\u201d includes products that are installed as either a web browser extension or onto a computer. This type of testing supports efficient testing on web-based applications and can provide feedback to identify issues in the code. Automated testing tools are good for answering those questions that are either a \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno\u201d logical answer and are best used to identify priority concerns.<\/p>\n These are some popular tools for automated accessibility testing:<\/p>\n However, automated testing does not have the capability to determine if a site or application is fully accessible as many of the criteria that need to be tested require a human to fully test them. At best, automated tests may only capture 20 to 40% of all potential accessibility issues. Reliance on only automated testing can result in a false sense of security in the accessibility compliance of an app.<\/p>\n For more information, navigate to “Automated Accessibility Testing Tools: How Much Do Scans Catch?” by Level Access.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Automated testing can be further supported by performing manual testing to provide more comprehensive details on the accessibility of an app or site. Manual testing ideally involves individuals that understand the complexity of accessibility and have a background in developer technologies. For instance, conducting manual testing on various workflows to ensure that there is a logical flow or meaning in an app will support better accessibility for users. Additionally, manual testing can include evaluating keyboard accessibility<\/a>,\u00a0focus order,<\/a> and screen readers<\/a> as well as determining if alternative text<\/a> is meaningful.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"sidebar","content":" Use these common keyboard navigation actions to perform manual testing on maps and apps.<\/p>\n End-user testing involves individuals with different abilities and skills as well as native users of assistive technologies to best support understanding the accessibility of the map or app that is developed.\u00a0 This comprehensive approach to testing and development, where individuals with the lived experience can contribute to the creation of the application can more fully support a a diverse set of individuals.<\/p>\n The team at the City of Philadelphia worked with the US Access Board to include individuals with disabilities in end-user testing for a map created about people with disabilities in Philadelphia. Read further about Using GIS to Improve Accessibility for Philadelphians with Disabilities<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By considering aspects of accessibility in design and development throughout the development cycle, an interactive mapping application can be more inclusive to fit a diverse audience.<\/p>\nConsider the audience<\/h3>\n
Plan ahead<\/h3>\n
Testing for accessibility<\/h2>\n
\n
Automated testing<\/h3>\n
\n
Manual Testing<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n Key<\/b><\/td>\n Description<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Tab<\/b><\/td>\n Move forward through interactive elements (e.g., link, button, form)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Shift + Tab<\/b><\/td>\n Move backward through interactive elements<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Arrow keys<\/b><\/td>\n Move between parts of composite UI elements<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Enter<\/b><\/td>\n Activate the current selection (e.g., links, buttons)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Space<\/b><\/td>\n Check\/uncheck, and activate the current selection<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Escape<\/b><\/td>\n Close the current selection and return focus to element that opened it<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Shift + Arrows<\/b><\/td>\n Expand\/close dialog divider<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Shift + F10 <\/b><\/td>\n Open a context menu (pop-up menu)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Alt + Down Arrow<\/b><\/td>\n Opens a combo box<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","image_reference":false,"layout":"standard","image_reference_figure":"","snippet":"","spotlight_name":"","section_title":"","position":"Center","spotlight_image":false},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" End user testing<\/h3>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n