In our rapidly evolving urban landscapes, inadequate accessibility maps leave many people with disabilities facing significant challenges. This talk begins by illustrating the problem with real examples of accessibility fails on platforms like Google Maps. Attendees are encouraged to check accessibility features on their phones, highlighting current gaps.

We will then explore the necessity of specialized tools for meaningful navigation and destination planning for people with disabilities, featuring innovative mapping solutions like Pedesting, a local Calgary startup, and AccessNow, a project originating in Toronto but making significant strides in Calgary with the Mapping Our Cities for All (MOCA) project.

The MOCA report — garnering over 120 million media impressions in its first week alone and continuing to reach a global audience — revealed that only 35% of Calgary's buildings are fully accessible. This rating, derived from over 5,000 buildings evaluated mostly by individuals with disabilities, underscores the pressing need for better spatial data, standards, and policies to support more accessible digital and urban environments.

To support and expand our capacity for this crucial work, I introduce UCAN (University of Calgary Accessibility Network), an initiative dedicated to fostering community, scholarly, business, and government collaboration, furthering accessibility research and implementation. Join us to see how you can contribute to creating cities that truly work for all people and discover how geospatial innovations are paving the way to a more accessible future.