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Accessible Map Training

The State of Minnesota believes maps should be usable and understandable for everyone. Proper planning and design make a map’s information more accessible to a wider audience. The trainings below supplement the guidance found on the map accessibility webpages. The trainings cover specific techniques that State of Minnesota map makers find most useful.

Training Modules


How to make your map text stand out

Have important map text you want to be more accessible and stand out? Learn techniques and styles to make your map annotation pop! You can apply these techniques to any design or GIS software.

Map Text Video

Map Text Transcript (Word)

For more tips on accessible map design, visit our Map Design page.

Static Digital Maps

Alt Text Tips for Maps

How do you translate the complexity of a map into alternative text (alt text)? It depends on the kind of map and its context within a document. We’ll break it down through a variety of examples.

Alt Text Tips for Maps Video

Alt Text Tips for Maps Transcript (PDF)

Exporting Tips for Maps

Static maps are exported to two main formats—PDF and images. Explore the pros and cons of each format and learn special considerations when exporting.

Exporting Tips for Maps Video

Exporting Tips for Maps Transcript (PDF)

Tagging Map PDFs

Walk through the basic process for making static maps in PDF format accessible. It contains an overview of how to use Adobe Acrobat Pro for this purpose, including how to use tools to tag text and figures, add alt-text, and complete document properties.

Tagging Map PDFs Video

Tagging Map PDFs Transcript (PDF)

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