Maps, Disasters, and Accessibility
Why Maps Matter in Emergencies
Maps help people:
- Find evacuation routes
- Locate emergency shelters
- Navigate unfamiliar areas
- Coordinate rescue efforts
- Identify accessible facilities
During disasters, good maps save lives.
Accessible maps ensure everyone can navigate safely, regardless of disability.
The Challenge
Standard maps fail many people:
- Visual maps don’t work for blind users
- Complex maps confuse people in crisis
- Digital maps need internet
- Paper maps lack real-time updates
- Few maps show accessibility features
What we need:
- Maps that work without vision
- Maps that work without internet
- Maps that show accessible routes
- Maps that update during disasters
1. Humanitarian Mapping for Disaster Response
These platforms use crowdsourced mapping to coordinate emergency response.
Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT)
Link: hotosm.org
What it does:
- Maps unmapped areas before disasters strike
- Activates volunteer mappers during emergencies
- Provides free map data to responders
- Coordinates global mapping efforts
Why it matters: Emergency responders need accurate maps. HOT creates them using satellite imagery and local knowledge.
How it helps accessibility: Maps include hospitals, shelters, and accessible facilities that responders need to find.
Ushahidi
Link: ushahidi.com
What it does:
- Crowdsources crisis information
- Maps reports from SMS, email, and web
- Tracks disaster impacts in real-time
- Coordinates response efforts
Why it matters: People on the ground know what’s happening. Ushahidi lets them report needs and dangers.
How it helps accessibility: Communities can report inaccessible shelters, blocked accessible routes, and unmet needs.
Missing Maps Project
Link: missingmaps.org
What it does:
- Maps vulnerable areas before disasters
- Trains volunteers to map remotely
- Partners with humanitarian organizations
- Builds local mapping capacity
Why it matters: You can’t rescue people in places you can’t find on a map.
How it helps accessibility: Identifies communities that need accessible infrastructure and evacuation support.
Resiliency Maps
Link: resiliencymaps.org
What it does:
- Maps community resilience resources
- Shows where help exists before disaster
- Identifies vulnerable populations
- Supports preparedness planning
Why it matters: Resilience starts before the emergency. These maps show existing community assets.
How it helps accessibility: Shows locations of accessible services, support networks, and community resources that people with disabilities rely on daily and during emergencies.
2. Accessible Navigation Tools
These tools help people with disabilities navigate independently.
Wheelmap
Link: wheelmap.org
What it does:
- Crowdsources wheelchair accessibility
- Marks buildings as fully, partially, or not accessible
- Works on smartphones and computers
- Integrates with OpenStreetMap
Why it matters: Wheelchair users need to know which buildings they can enter.
Emergency use: Shows which shelters and facilities are truly accessible during evacuations.
How to contribute: Anyone can mark locations. Takes 30 seconds per building.
OpenStreetMap for the Blind
Link: OSM for the Blind Wiki
What it does:
- Documents how blind people use maps
- Identifies what data blind users need
- Guides accessible mapping practices
- Connects mapping to assistive technology
Why it matters: Maps aren’t just visual. Audio navigation and tactile maps need structured data.
Key features to map:
- Sidewalk conditions
- Crosswalk locations
- Tactile paving
- Obstacles and hazards
Building Urban Access Through OpenStreetMap
Link: NOSMAG Article
What it discusses:
- How cities can improve accessibility data
- Community mapping projects
- Data that matters for disabled travelers
- Integration with navigation apps
Why it matters: Good accessibility data enables better navigation apps and emergency planning.
3. Tactile and 3D-Printable Maps
Physical maps for people who can’t use visual or digital maps.
Touch Mapper
Link: Touch Mapper GitHub
What it does:
- Generates 3D-printable tactile maps
- Uses OpenStreetMap data
- Creates raised-line street maps
- Free and open source
Why it matters: Blind people need physical maps to understand spatial layouts.
Emergency use:
- Print maps of evacuation routes
- Create shelter layout maps
- Help blind evacuees navigate new areas
How to use: Perkins School for the Blind Guide
OSM2Tactile
Link: OSM2Tactile GitHub
What it does:
- Converts OpenStreetMap data to tactile formats
- Creates embossed and 3D-printable maps
- Optimized for tactile reading
- Supports multiple output formats
Why it matters: Different production methods (embossing, 3D printing, swell paper) need different file formats.
Emergency use: Quickly produce tactile maps when digital tools fail.
Tactile Braille Maps
Link: GetBraille Tactile Maps
What they provide:
- Professional tactile map production
- Braille labels on maps
- Custom emergency maps
- Standards for tactile graphics
Why it matters: Not all tactile maps are equal. Standards ensure usability.
Best practices:
- Use distinct textures
- Limit information density
- Add Braille labels
- Test with blind users
Vision IP: Braille in Public Maps
Link: Vision IP Resource
What it covers:
- How to add Braille to public signage
- Standards for tactile directories
- Placement and design guidelines
- Legal requirements (ADA, AODA)
Emergency relevance: Emergency shelters need tactile maps and directories for blind evacuees.
4. Disaster-Specific Mapping Tools
Tools designed specifically for disaster management.
OpenStreetMap Disaster Response Checklist
Link: OSM Disaster Response Wiki
What it provides:
- Step-by-step activation guide
- Data quality checks
- Coordination protocols
- Tools and resources
Why it matters: Organized response is faster response. This checklist prevents chaos.
Key steps:
- Assess what mapping is needed
- Activate volunteer mappers
- Identify priority areas
- Validate data quality
- Share data with responders
HeidelbergAI: 5 Open Source Tools for Disaster Management
Link: HeidelbergAI Article
Tools covered:
- ohsome dashboard - Analyzes OSM data quality
- OSHDB - Processes OSM history
- disaster-ninja - Emergency routing
- HeiGIT maps - Customized emergency maps
- OSM Analytics - Monitors mapping coverage
Why it matters: Free tools mean more organizations can respond effectively.
Mapbox: Optimize Crisis Response with OpenStreetMap
Link: Mapbox Blog Post
What it offers:
- Real-time routing during crises
- Avoids blocked roads
- Finds accessible routes
- Integrates with OSM data
Why it matters: Routes change during disasters. Tools must adapt in real-time.
TechScholar: OSM in Disaster Management
Link: TechScholar Article
Topics covered:
- How OSM supports disaster response
- Case studies from real disasters
- Integration with emergency management
- Community coordination
Why it matters: Learn from past disasters to prepare for future ones.
5. Mapping for Community Development
Long-term resilience through better mapping.
Open Mapping for Community Development
Link: Million Lives Project
What it covers:
- Community-led mapping
- Building local capacity
- Sustainable development
- Disaster preparedness
Why it matters: Communities that map themselves are better prepared for emergencies.
Accessibility angle: Communities can map accessible features, creating better data for disabled residents.
Best Practices for Emergency Mapping
Before Disasters
- Map accessibility features now
- Wheelchair-accessible entrances
- Accessible restrooms
- Elevators and ramps
- Audio crosswalk signals
- Tactile paving
- Create tactile maps of key areas
- Emergency shelters
- Evacuation routes
- Community centers
- Hospitals
- Train volunteers
- Teach accessible mapping
- Build local capacity
- Test with disabled users
- Keep data updated
- Verify accessibility info yearly
- Check after construction
- Correct errors quickly
During Disasters
- Share maps in multiple formats
- Digital (for smartphones)
- Audio (for screen readers)
- Print (for no internet)
- Tactile (for blind users)
- Update accessibility information
- Report blocked accessible routes
- Identify accessible shelters
- Map temporary hazards
- Use plain language
- Clear labels
- Simple icons
- Consistent symbols
- Test offline functionality
- Download maps before crisis
- Cache critical data
- Plan for no internet
After Disasters
- Document what worked
- Which maps helped most
- What information was missing
- Accessibility barriers encountered
- Update maps with lessons learned
- Add missing features
- Correct inaccuracies
- Improve data quality
- Share findings
- Help other communities
- Improve standards
- Build better tools
Integration with Other Emergency Systems
Maps should connect with:
- Alert systems - Show affected areas on maps
- Shelter registries - Map accessible shelter locations
- Resource tracking - Show where supplies are available
- Communication platforms - Share location-based updates
Example workflow:
- Alert system warns of flood
- Map shows flood zone
- Map highlights accessible evacuation routes
- Map lists nearby accessible shelters
- People navigate safely
Critical Gaps and Limitations
Current mapping has problems:
- Incomplete data
- Many areas not mapped
- Accessibility features often missing
- Rural areas underrepresented
- Data quality issues
- Outdated information
- Inconsistent standards
- Limited verification
- Access barriers
- Need internet for digital maps
- Tactile maps expensive
- Training required
- Coordination challenges
- Multiple platforms
- Inconsistent data
- Limited integration
What we’re working toward:
- Better standards for accessibility data
- Easier tactile map production
- Offline-first mapping tools
- Integration across platforms
How to Contribute
If You’re a Mapper
- Add accessibility data
- Use Wheelmap to mark buildings
- Tag accessible features in OSM
- Verify existing data
- Join disaster response
- Sign up with HOT
- Participate in Missing Maps
- Learn remote mapping
- Create tactile maps
- Use Touch Mapper
- Share with blind community
- Test and improve
If You’re an Emergency Manager
- Use existing maps
- Download OSM data for your area
- Integrate with emergency plans
- Train staff on tools
- Fill data gaps
- Map accessible shelters
- Document evacuation routes
- Verify accessibility info
- Test with disabled users
- Include disabled people in drills
- Get feedback on maps
- Improve based on needs
If You’re a Developer
- Build accessible tools
- Create offline map apps
- Improve screen reader support
- Design for crisis mode
- Contribute to open source
- Improve existing tools
- Fix accessibility bugs
- Add new features
- Follow standards
- WCAG 2.2 for web maps
- WSG 1.0 for performance
- Plain language for labels
Additional Resources
Technical Standards
- W3C Making Maps Accessible: Standards for digital map accessibility
- ADA Design Standards: Physical map requirements for public facilities
- OSM Tagging Guidelines: How to tag accessibility features
Research and Case Studies
- Real-world examples of mapping in disasters
- Studies on accessibility data quality
- User research with disabled mappers
Training Materials
- HOT mapping tutorials
- OpenStreetMap beginner guides
- Tactile map production workshops
Conclusion
Maps are infrastructure.
Accessible maps are survival infrastructure.
When disasters strike, maps help people:
- Find safety
- Navigate barriers
- Locate resources
- Coordinate help
Everyone deserves maps they can use.
We build these maps together.
We test them with disabled users.
We share them freely.
When the crisis comes, the maps are ready.
This page aspires to provide comprehensive guidance based on current best practices. We welcome contributions from mappers, emergency managers, and people with disabilities who use maps.
Have experience with emergency mapping? Open an issue to share what you’ve learned.