Law & Morals: Creating a Tactile Map of an Inaccessible Library

Short Description: Under the ADA, colleges are required to make all programs equally accessible to all students. In the Summer of 2025, the Technology & Makerspace Librarian and Social Sciences Librarian at Occidental College set out to create a tactile map of their library. This is their story. Abstract: Although legally required under the American Disabilities Act (1990), the Mary Norton Clapp Library at Occidental College lacks many basic accessibility accommodations. Not surprisingly, few students, faculty or staff with disabilities choose to become part of the Occidental College community. This past summer, the Technology & Makerspace Librarian and Social Sciences Librarian at Occidental came up with a plan to increase both physical accessibility and accessibility awareness at the library: create a tactile map and then aggressively market it on campus. From researching tactile map basics and M&O best practices to picking map icons and 3-D printing, Ben and Kristin spent the summer creating a tactile map of the four story building. They then spent the fall using the map to raise awareness of the school’s accessibility issue and, hopefully, inspire other Oxy stakeholders to get proactive in creating a welcoming, working campus for all.