Maps are not accessible by default. As this module is used by governmental agencies, we can explore how to improve the accessibility. Based on OpenLayers the Dutch government is developing a special map viewer called GEOZET viewer that will be fully accessible.
It will get a 'dual mode' (http://gispunt.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/geozet-building-a-dual-mode-gis-...):
1. a rich map enabled client/GUI (openlayers)
2. a lean non-javascript, non-css client/GUI for cases like screenreaders

The rich client based on openlayers will get anchors for accessibility. This custom renderer (http://osgisjs.blogspot.com/2010/06/anchor-renderer.html) is based on OpenLayers.Renderer for vector objects (points).

We can investigate if we can implement some of this functionality in this module. Note that the GEOZET viewer is not ready yet and not yet available in a repository.

Comments

tmcw’s picture

This project is not the OpenLayers mapping framework - lok to OpenLayers.org for that project. The OpenLayers module (this) does not traditionally include custom OpenLayers components - we need them to be accepted into the OpenLayers mapping framework proper.

Hanno’s picture

Including this in OpenLayers core would be the best way indeed for anchors. Don't know about the best way to deal with a dual mode. We could probably use views for that?

nod_’s picture

Component: OpenLayers UI » OL API
Status: Active » Closed (won't fix)

I'm marking as won't fix because acessibility needs to be adressed in openlayers library. There is too much on the drupal side of things to have time to implement this.
I believe OL will be happy to accept patches.

Hanno’s picture

Yes that is correct, for 1, just recently the accessible OpenLayers version GEOZET is released by the Dutch government. Code is puslihed on github: https://github.com/geozet/geozet
Will try to see if code can be contributed back to OL core.

For 2, an alternative text only version, that is more or less a switch button between two displays of a view (OL view and table view). Still interested in a simple contributed module or code for this.