Adaptable maps for people with autism
Claudia De Los Rios Perez, David A. McMeekin, Marita Falkmer, Tele Tan · 2018 · Proceedings of the 15th International Web for All Conference (W4A 2018) · doi:10.1145/3192714.3210349
Summary
This demonstration paper presents a web application that adapts digital maps for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), addressing the fact that mainstream map services like Google Maps are not designed with the needs, limitations, and capabilities of autistic users in mind. Research has shown that UI elements such as layout, background, colours, forms, and contrast all need modification when designing autism-friendly interfaces. Individuals with ASD often perform poorly with modals and complex interfaces, can experience frustration or aversion to instructions in educational software, and benefit from simple interactions limited to keystrokes, drag, initial act, and tapping. The authors synthesise the literature on autism-friendly UI design into a set of principles implemented in the map application: home page icons for navigation, breadcrumbs for orientation, page descriptions on meta tags, simple language preferring symbols over text, no negative reinforcement on incorrect responses, step-by-step instructions, limited or no use of modals/frames, no time limits on forms (always allowing own pace), Arial font at minimum 14 points without capitals or italics, high contrast colours, and personalisation of map appearance. The application, built on the Google Maps API with customisation of map tiles and information display, allows users to change the visual presentation of the map and how information is displayed according to their preferences. It is designed to support transport-related tasks — finding routes and understanding spatial environments — which are known to be challenging for many autistic individuals.
Key findings
The paper identifies a gap between the W3C WAI accessibility guidelines and the specific needs of autistic users: while WAI guidelines make the web accessible independent of hardware, software, language, culture, location, or physical/mental ability, mainstream map interfaces still do not account for the sensory and cognitive profile of people with ASD. The specific adaptations implemented include: customisable map tile styling (adjustable colours, contrast, and visual complexity), simplified information display (reducing the visual clutter that standard map interfaces present), preference for symbols over text labels, step-by-step navigation instructions rather than overview routes, and the elimination of time-pressured interactions. The approach builds on a three-part adaptive model proposed by Mejia-Figueroa et al.: a user model (capturing the autistic user’s preferences and capabilities), a domain model (the map content and transport information), and an adaptive mechanism (based on executive function measurements) that adapts the interface. The easy operations identified for autistic users interacting with this type of application are keystroke, drag, initial act, and tapping — more complex gesture-based interactions are avoided. The web application was made available at adaptableinterface.com for demonstration purposes.
Relevance
This paper contributes to the relatively underserved area of cognitive accessibility in digital maps and transport applications. While physical accessibility of transport infrastructure receives significant attention, the accessibility of the digital interfaces used to plan and navigate journeys is less frequently addressed — particularly for autistic users who may be capable of independent travel but struggle with the sensory overload and cognitive complexity of standard mapping tools. The synthesis of autism-friendly UI guidelines into a concrete map application provides a design reference for developers of navigation and transport applications. For accessibility practitioners, the specific recommendations — minimum 14pt Arial, no capitals or italics, symbols over text, no modals, no time limits, step-by-step instructions, breadcrumbs, and customisable visual presentation — offer an actionable checklist for autism-friendly interface design that extends beyond maps to other web applications. As a 2-page demonstration paper, this is a proof-of-concept without formal user evaluation with autistic participants, which would be essential to validate whether the literature-derived adaptations actually improve the map experience for the target population.
Tags: autism · maps · user interface · personalization · navigation · cognitive accessibility · web accessibility · transport · sensory processing
Standards referenced: WAI