---
title: AccessMap User Manual
nav_order: 1
tags:
    - User Manual
    - External
    - User
---

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## AccessMap User Manual

This user manual explains how to use the AccessMap web application.

_For a list of all guides on the TCAT Wiki, refer to the [Guides List](../../guides-list/index.md)._{ .guides-list-ref }

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### About AccessMap

[AccessMap](https://accessmap.app) is a free, web-based pedestrian trip planner developed by the Taskar Center for Accessible Technology (TCAT) at the University of Washington. Unlike general-purpose navigation apps, AccessMap is designed to support the full diversity of how pedestrians travel — accounting for mobility aids, vision, and physical ability — and to give users meaningful control over their route.

AccessMap provides:

- **Pedestrian-specific routing** — routes on sidewalks, crossings, and footways rather than roadways
- **Elevation awareness** — color-coded visualization of incline grades along paths
- **Barrier and curb ramp information** — identification and optional avoidance of raised curbs and stairs
- **Customizable mobility profiles** — tailored routing for manual wheelchair users, powered wheelchair users, support cane users, and blind/low-vision users, as well as a fully customizable profile
- **Screen reader support** — step-by-step directions with landmark-based alerts for non-visual navigation
- **Feedback** — the ability to leave comments on map features to help improve the underlying data

AccessMap is powered by [OpenSidewalks](../../opensidewalks/index.md) and [OpenStreetMap](https://welcome.openstreetmap.org/) data.

---

### Quick Start

1. **Open** your web browser and navigate to [AccessMap.app](https://accessmap.app)
2. **Select** a region from the region selector in the top bar
3. **Choose** a mobility profile that fits your needs, or customize your own!
4. **Search** for or select a starting point and destination to plan your route

---

![AccessMap](../../resources/images/accessmap/user-manual/index/accessmap-light.png#only-light)
![AccessMap](../../resources/images/accessmap/user-manual/index/accessmap-dark.png#only-dark)

---

### Table of Contents

AccessMap User Manual Table of Contents

#### [Getting Started](getting-started.md)

This section explains how to access AccessMap, select a region, and take the built-in tour.

#### [Interface Overview](interface.md)

This section introduces the AccessMap interface, including the sidebar, map controls, and legend.

#### [Mobility Profiles and Preferences](profiles.md)

This section explains how to select a pre-defined mobility profile and how to customize individual routing preferences.

#### [Planning a Route](route-planning.md)

This section explains how to set a starting point and destination, plan a route, and read the route display.

#### [Navigation](navigation.md)

This section explains how to follow step-by-step directions and use screen reader alerts for non-visual navigation.

#### [Leaving Feedback](feedback.md)

This section explains how to leave comments on map features to report observations and help improve the data.