Dear members of the Participatory Mapping Working Group at the International Cartographic Association,
I hope you are all doing well. First of all, I would like to inform you about the results of our short survey regarding the publication strategy (so far 15 members voted, but the survey is still open – short survey.
Two-thirds of you prefer “more text-based, general paper on usage of Participatory Mapping (Cartographic journal, International Journal of Cartography, etc.) style special issue and we will look at this option. Some of you would also prefer a “Journal of Maps” special issue. We also got tips for possible journals, so we will look at it in the following weeks.
We also got an invitation from the Working Group on Inclusive Cartography regarding their webinar serie:
Seminar 1 – Vincent van Altena, senior researcher, Kadaster, the Netherlands, co-chair ICA Working Group on Inclusive Cartography and Jakub Wabiński, researcher and lecturer, Institute of Geospatial Engineering and Geodesy, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Military University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland.
Date: 9 October 15:00 CET
Link: https://meet.google.com/dwr-ytbz-cih
Abstract: One of the recent achievements of the group is the publication Tactile Mapping – cartography for people with visual impairments – a collaboration of more than 30 contributors from over the world, sharing insights from academia, practitioners and personal stories from people with visual impairments. Vincent and Jakub will discuss the concepts behind the initiative, the impact they hope the book will have on knowledge sharing, and elaborate on the process in bringing an idea to fruition. As a sneak preview, they will also share some highlights from the book. At the end of the session there will be time for Q&A.
Seminar 2 – Brandon Biggs, Software Engineer at The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, CEO at XR Navigation, and PhD Candidate at the Georgia Institute of Technology
Date: 11th December 2025 15:00 CET
Link: https://meet.google.com/dvj-qsqu-cbm
Abstract: This presentation will share methods for systematically assessing and
designing complex digital spatial diagrams and maps that meet ADA accessibility standards. The strategies apply to a wide range of contexts, including municipal GIS data, campus layouts, building plans, and anatomical charts. Topics will include alternate text, full keyboard navigation, and adequate non-text contrast. In the past, accessibility could often be achieved by identifying a map’s “primary purpose” and providing it in text form. However, new research and technological developments have made this approach insufficient for compliance. The session will introduce techniques such as interactive alt text and comprehensive written descriptions, ensuring that information about distance, direction, shape, size, orientation, and overall layout of points, polygons, and lines is both accessible and easy to create. Participants will also
learn how to enable full keyboard control of all features and meet a 3:1 contrast ratio. By the end, attendees will have a practical toolkit for assessing maps for ADA compliance and implementing accessible map design.
Regarding the communication channels:
- For more “professional” visibility/networking we have newly established a LinkedIn profile – please join us, if you are on LinkedIn and tag us, while posting about participatory mapping.
- For more up-to-date/urgent/modern communication we established a Discord room/channel – join us, if you use Discord.
In case you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact me.
Jirka Pánek
chair of the PMWG