NACIS 2026

Launching and Scaling Digital Map Accessibility for the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
Caroline Rose, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
Brandon Biggs, XR Navigation
The ground-breaking visual, auditory, and interactive text map of the Quaternary Geology of Wisconsin, which we presented in draft form at NACIS 2025, showed it is possible to make complex maps accessible. Now that the map has been released, users can “hear” shapes, understand topological relationships, and access over 3000 features in 16 layers. Users can navigate the map via keyboard, can access the geographic features using a screen reader, and can tailor the settings to suit their own access needs. This talk will cover the process and roll-out of this highly complex, accessible map and our ideas for how the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey will scale this work from one accessible map to other publications.

Translating WCAG as Cartographers - A Framework for Visual Map Accessibility
Jakob Ruffner, Esri
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is the baseline for the US' Title II/III amendment to the ADA. It requires that all State, Federal, and Private organizations provide accessible content. However, it is unclear as to what exactly counts as adequate compliance, especially true for map design, whose cartography involves complicated visualization choices that don't fit into simple binaries. In this session, we attempt to turn the often-vague language of WCAG into a relatable framework for us cartographers. Based on projects across many industries, this interpretation allows us to make user-driven maps without over-simplifying them, hinging on leveraging application UIs, clear symbology, and alternative access formats.

Lights, Camera, Action: Putting Cartographic Accessibility on Film
Jack Swab, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Laura Zierer, American Printing House for the Blind
Cartographic accessibility for individuals with low vision or blindness is an important facet of cartographic design but can remain abstract in the cartography classroom. This talk explores the motivation behind and the production of a short film about cartographic accessibility. Made in collaboration with the American Printing House for the Blind and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, we explore how we created this film and its impacts in a 100-level, general education cartography class.

Cartographic Accessibility at the American Printing House for the Blind
Laura Zierer, American Printing House for the Blind
Jack Swab, The University of Tennessee--Knoxville
In this presentation, we will screen a short film made in conjunction with the American Printing House for the Blind and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The video highlights the American Printing House for the Blind’s cartographic efforts and the positive impact that their products have on increasing geographic and cartographic literacy for individuals with low vision or blindness.