UnlockedMaps: Visualizing Real-Time Accessibility of Urban Rail Transit Using a Web-Based Map

Beyond Vision Impairments: Redefining the Scope of Accessible Data Representations

“…Interestingly, the identified issues addressed were not consistently associated directly with specific communities. Enhancing access to the physical world, which encompasses aspects such as neighborhood accessibility [47] and public transportation access [48], predominantly emerged in papers concentrating on motor/physical disabilities (77.8% N=7/9). However, four papers also examined augmenting physical world access for individuals with cognitive impairments, older adults, BLV, and the general disability community.…”

“…We found that even visual representations, potentially beneficial for individuals with non-visual disabilities, may remain inaccessible. This inaccessibility arises from factors such as inadequate interaction design for those with motor impairments or older adults [33], [62], insufficient support for neurodivergent individuals [35], or the lack of accessible information in the visual representations [48], [71], limiting informed decision-making for people with disabilities. Thus, a comprehensive approach to the study of accessible data representations should not only aim to make visual data more accessible but should also address these multidimensional challenges.…”

“…The issue is not necessarily the need for entirely new representations but rather an expansion of current ones to include more accessrelated elements [3]. These access-related elements, which facilitate better physical-world access, may encompass a variety of factors such as sidewalk conditions [47], transit accessibility [48], and auditory cues [72]. For example, although data representations related to navigation can provide crucial information about route accessibility for individuals with motor impairments, there is limited research on the best methods for integrating these elements into established two-dimensional representations.…”

“…Our review identified several adaptations to typical data representations to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. For example, adding details about accessible features (e.g., ramps, in-service elevators) in maps could significantly aid those with motor disabilities in navigating the physical world [48], [58]. Similarly, tailoring data visualizations to track and manage complex behavioral data of autistic children has been effective for caregivers [7].…”

“…These advances in health-related data representation for the BLV community can serve as a foundational model for developing similar tools tailored for individuals with non-vision impairments. For instance, identical to how Sharif et al [48] used real-time accessibility data to help people navigate through transit stations, data representations that include specific accessibility features could assist individuals with motor impairments in finding accessible routes through complex healthcare facilities. By extending these innovations to other disability communities, we can enhance health literacy and empower individuals to manage their wellbeing.…”