Drawing of a business man standing in front of a bus stop with text
Strategy

Using a Digital Map for Work Travel

An independent traveler uses an accessible digital map to prepare for work-related travel.

Research Triangle Park is one of the largest high-tech research and development centers in the US and is a model for research, innovation, and economic development. A place where educators, researchers and businesses collaborate, RTP is nestled between Duke University in Durham, North Carolina State University in Raleigh and University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. RTP companies and university programs frequently partner on projects; public transportation regularly runs between RTP and the university campuses.

A computer scientist working in RTP is an upcoming guest speaker for a computer science course at the University of North Carolina. This professional, who happens to be blind, will travel between RTP and the UNC campus using the 800 Transit Bus. This bus will drop him off by the Student Center and from there, the professional will walk to Sitterson Hall, the computer science building. Wanting to preview the area, the professional used a customized accessible digital map to explore and virtually build a mental map of the campus area around the Student Center bus stop, the computer science building and where these campus locations are in relationship to the city of Chapel Hill. Before catching the outbound bus, he also planned a quick stop for lunch at his favorite lunch spot, the Trolley Stop. This customized map provided information related only to this traveler’s specific needs for this particular trip; the guest lecturer did not need information about the entire UNC campus or Chapel Hill.

To view the accessible digital map used for this activity, install the free SAS Graphics Accelerator, Google Chrome extension.

Directions for uploading customized digital maps can be found in the SAS Graphics Accelerator Maps: Student Uploading and Accessing Maps post. Follow these directions to upload the UNC Campus, Sitterson Hall map.

SAS Graphics Accelerator Resources

  1. Self-guided maps tutorial (SAS website)
  2. Activities that Build Mental Map Skills (Concrete activities that prepare students for digital map skills)
  3. How to Create Accessible Digital Maps Using SAS Graphics Accelerator and Google Maps post (step-by-step instructions on how to create a customized map)
  4. SAS Graphics Accelerator Maps: Student Uploading and Accessing Maps post (Use the directions in this post to upload the Elon University Maps)
  5. Remote O&M Instruction for Students Transitioning to College: Getting Started (Determining important campus points of interest during school closures and creating digital campus maps for O&M transition lessons)

Attached File(s)

https://www.perkins.org/wp-content/uploads/elearning-media/UNC%20Campus%2C%20Sitterson%20Hall%20copy.html
By Diane Brauner

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
2 Screenshots of Elon Campus: One is a visual map (Google Maps) and & the other is a non-visual map made from Google Maps data.
Article

How to Create Accessible Digital Maps Using SAS Graphics Accelerator and Google Maps

Strategy

Remote O&M instruction for students transitioning to college: Building a mental map

Screenshot of my maps.google.com with tabs: Owned
Strategy

Editing a Non-Visual Digital Map from the Map Library