Accessibility
Every guest gets the map.
TapTheMap is built so that every visitor — regardless of ability, device, or familiarity with technology — can access your venue map. Here's how we do it and what standards we follow.
TapTheMap is built so that every visitor — regardless of ability, device, or familiarity with technology — can access your venue map. Here's how we do it and what standards we follow.
No single technology works for every guest. That's why every TapTheMap installation provides three independent access methods at every sticker location:
Hold your phone near the sticker. A notification appears with the map link. One tap opens it. No app, no camera, no aiming required. Works through most phone cases.
Every NFC sticker location includes a companion QR code. Guests who prefer scanning — or whose phones lack NFC — can use their camera to reach the same map.
The venue map URL is printed in readable text on all signage. Guests can type it directly into their browser. No special technology needed.
We are evaluating clear tactile bump dots (3M Bump-Ons) placed adjacent to NFC stickers so guests with visual impairments can locate them by touch. This is a planned enhancement for future deployments.
TapTheMap's NFC sticker placement follows ADA reach range requirements to ensure accessibility for wheelchair users and guests with mobility limitations.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Mounting height | 48–54 inches from floor (ADA forward/side reach range) |
| Wheelchair approach | Clear approach — no furniture, planters, or barriers within arm's length |
| Accessible route | On accessible paths with no steps, narrow doorways, or gravel blocking approach |
| Surface mounting | NFC stickers mounted on accessible surfaces, never behind glass (glass blocks NFC signals) |
| Tactile indicator (planned) | 3M Bump-On (clear, 0.5″) adjacent to each NFC sticker — planned for future deployments |
| Signage | Sans-serif font, 18pt minimum body text, 4.5:1 contrast ratio, matte/non-glare finish |
TapTheMap's web pages target WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance — the standard adopted by the DOJ's 2024 rule under ADA Title II, and increasingly applied to Title III (private businesses) by courts.
We believe privacy is an accessibility concern. Guests should not be required to create accounts, accept cookies, or navigate consent dialogs to access a venue map. TapTheMap collects zero personal data from guests:
Our analytics platform (Plausible) counts page views in aggregate without identifying individuals. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
NFC operates at 13.56 MHz with a power output of approximately 0.02 watts — far below levels that could interfere with pacemakers, insulin pumps, or other implanted medical devices. The interaction range is 1–4 centimeters, and the energy involved is less than a standard phone call. Guests with medical devices can safely tap NFC stickers.
For more technical details about NFC safety, see our NFC Safety & Security page.
Venue maps are inherently visual. While we optimize every map for phone-screen readability (clear labels, high contrast, pinch-to-zoom), we recognize that image-based maps present challenges for screen reader users. We encourage venues to provide a supplemental text-based location list alongside the map image — a simple list of key locations with brief descriptions that a screen reader can navigate.
If you're a venue operator and would like guidance on creating accessible map supplements, contact us and we'll help.
If you encounter an accessibility barrier on any TapTheMap page or at any venue using our service, we want to know about it. Accessibility is an ongoing commitment, not a checkbox.
Matt Overeem
mattovereem@tapthemap.online
(224) 217-7494
We're happy to discuss how TapTheMap's accessibility standards apply to your specific venue and guest population.
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