Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Northern AZ U Tackles Accessibility Mapping Project

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 10/21/20

Northern Arizona University is working with Quantum Spatial, a geospatial data company, to develop an accessibility map to help people with mobility issues more easily navigate the hilly campus.

Currently, three units on campus — the Department of Geography, Planning and Recreation; Astronomy and Planetary Science and the Commission on Disability Access and Design —are working with Quantum Spatial to run a LiDAR survey across the Flagstaff campus. Light Detection and Ranging (LIDaR) uses remote sensing to examine the surface of an area.

LIDaR map of a portion of the Northern Arizona University campus in Flagstaff.

With the use of drones and a terrestrial laser scanner, the team will develop a high-resolution map. The resulting map will help the university provide accurate information about slope and other path-of-travel features to determine the best routes for those who use wheelchairs or want to avoid stairs. Once this first stage is complete, NAU will enhance the map to work with assistive technology, such as screen readers for users with vision impairments.

"NAU is committed to campus accessibility that goes beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act. As part of this, we had the idea to develop an innovative tool that not only provides a fully accessible map of the campus, but also makes an inherently visual solution available to those with visual impairments," said Lauren Copeland-Glenn, program manager with the university's Equity and Access Office, in a statement.

"The Quantum Spatial team thrives when given the opportunity to discover new and interesting ways to apply the geospatial information we collect, which is why the NAU project is so compelling," added Scott Nowicki, lead R&D scientist at the company. "This project developing a uniquely-detailed high-resolution model of the exterior campus environment will provide all students, staff and visitors with a valuable resource to help them easily navigate the sprawling campus."

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Full Sail University Announces First Student Housing Facility

    Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla., recently announced that development has begun on its first student housing community, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Nvision Development for construction and long-term management of the facility, which will stand five stories and have the capacity for more than 570 beds.

  • Quattrocchi Kwok Architects Opens New Office in Denver

    Education planning and design firm Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) recently announced that it has opened a new office in Denver, Colo., the firm’s third overall. QKA is headquartered in Santa Rosa, Calif., and runs an East Bay Area office in Oakland.

  • Harvard Announces Replacement Facility for Native American Program

    Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., recently announced that construction will begin this spring on a new home for its Native American Program, according to university news. The 6,500-square-foot, all-electric building will stand three stories and serve as the central hub for the Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP).

  • Photo courtesy of Kraus-Anderson

    Minnesota District Completes $49.7M Addition, Renovation Project

    St. Paul Public Schools in St. Paul, Minn., recently announced the completion of a $49.7-million addition and remodeling project at two district schools, according to a news release.