Usability and Accessibility of Web Maps: Considering New User Groups and their Requirements.

Abstract

Today, web maps and web map applications are omnipresent in our everyday life. They are not used any longer only by GI-experts in support of e.g. spatial planning, administrative tasks, and research, but they are also increasingly used for many different purposes by the general public who also includes special needs user groups such as older people, disabled people, children and the youth. For these lay users, application usability and accessibility are important criteria. Applications developed in line with the according principles generally pay attention to user requirements, preferences, skills, and capabilities, and, thus, they are easier to use by lay users and provide better user experience. But, what problems do lay users typically face when using web maps and web map applications? What are general requirements of lay users regarding web maps and web map applications? Which recommendations can be made to support the creation web maps and web map applications usable for and accessible to the general public? These questions are treated in this paper based on results gained by different projects which aimed at building web maps and web map applications for the general public, i.e. lay users.