Enabled Map Employment Project
Background
Enabled London has 10 years experience of working with people with learning disabilities
, making accessible maps and accessible web based accessibility tools (Word-Bank.com).
The design and function of Enabled Maps came from working with people with learning disabilities, and in their first year they won a Visit London Gold award.
We have produced over 100 maps, they are a proven product fitting a wide market need by taking in account the needs of people who have:
- Learning and physical disabilities
- Visual impairments or blindness
- English as a second language
- Difficulties in orientating self to linear maps, i.e. to North and South etc
Currently
Currently we use a database to co-ordinate elements of maps. We then export the content in client friendly formats
(print and web friendly formats XHTML/HTM, XML and optimized mobile phone templates), making it easy for clients to integrate into their websites and keep up to date.
Recent clients
Enabled Maps are part technology and part consultancy. They provide flexible solutions to specific areas, for example Tower Hamlets has educational game & calorie converters while the Corporation of London’s Hampstead Heath has altimeters to demonstrate gradient of land.
Tower Hamlets and Sutton have integrated dedicated audio (MP3).
The next step
We would like to generate income to develop a web 3.0 system that:
- Employs people with learning disabilities to make standard (image & text) Enabled Maps. To generalize, people with learning disabilities have good knowledge of physical accessibility and accessible information.
- Enables clients to update maps
Enabled London’s focus would be on promotion, training and larger scale projects requiring integrated audio.
The carrot
We are looking for organisations wishing to fund the formation of local expert groups (people with learning disabilities) to be trained in how to make maps and provide a set number of maps.
Local groups will have free access to the system to sell their map-making expertise.
If you have a need to increase access locally or get people with learning disabilities into meaningful employment then please contact us.
We look forward to shaping this project together.