First look into adaptive maps for diverse users

With the increased use of digital maps, the need for user-friendly and universally accessible interfaces has never been more pressing. Numerous individuals, whether due to physical impairments, cognitive challenges, or cultural differences, face difficulties in navigating these digital interfaces, often turning their journeys into cumbersome endeavours.

For instance, elderly individuals with visual impairments might struggle to discern routes, landmarks, and other crucial details due to inadequate colour contrasts and font sizes on many map applications. Meanwhile, tourists from diverse backgrounds might struggle with map symbols and terminologies, finding them foreign and unintuitive.

This research addresses the pressing need to make digital maps universally accessible, empowering individuals to navigate with ease, regardless of their diverse challenges. Through a systematic exploration of requirements, guidelines, and a prototype, this study bridges the gap between theory and practical implementation, offering designers a robust toolkit to create maps that truly serve all users.

Project Lead

Dr Anuradha Madugalla

Project Team

Dilshan Sachintha Jayasinghe (FIT4701/2 student)