Virginia Tech Universal Access Campus Map
Welcome to the Virginia Tech Universal Access Campus Map homepage for the Apple Macintosh© computer running Mac OS™, or any computer running UNIX or Microsoft Windows™. All that is needed to use this applet is a Java enabled Web browser (e.g., Internet Explorer). This site is intended to direct individuals who may have mobility impairments, along the most accessible routes on the Virginia Tech campus. Here you will find the location of most of our handicapped parking spaces, accessible building entrances, and elevator/wheelchair lifts. The campus maps available at this site are the most up to date available to students, campus visitors, and the general public.
Directions for downloading and viewing the map
Macintosh or PC users who have little or no computer experience, or persons running a computer using UNIX, can view the map without having to download and install anything, by simply clicking the "DOWNLOAD" button below. Please note, this method does have its drawbacks in that it is time intensive to download, and there is no way to print a copy of the map if you are not using a PC operating Windows. It is recommended that you only do this if you have a high-speed Internet connection such as Ethernet, or a cable modem, as it can take up to 15 minutes to download this map using a standard 56K modem (even longer when using Netscape). It is also desirable that you do this using a recent version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Macintosh users can only use Internet Explorer to view this map, however PC users can view this using any Java based Web browser. During testing, however, Internet Explorer proved to be fastest when working with this applet. The following link places all the necessary files to run this map from our Server in a temporary location on your computer. It works on any computer using Microsoft's Internet Explorer (nothing else is needed), click the button below to download and open map on the Web Server. Please note however, that you must grant permissions when (and if) you are asked in order to view the map, also you must continue your internet connection the entire time you are viewing this map. Lastly, please wait the entire time it takes to download the temporary files, you will know that this is finished when you see a row of icons appear in the top of your browser window.
It is recommended that you Bookmark this page to return to after downloading the VT Access Map in the CADViewer™ window.
Also, it may be helpful to either print out, or save a copy of this Web page to your computer desktop for reference.
Macintosh, UNIX, or PC users who are not comfortable downloading and using a Web browser applet:
The newest Virginia Tech Campus (ADA) Access Map (last updated 9-24-06) can be seen below. The map will open automatically within a window in your Web browser. Please Note: You must grant permission (click yes) to any Certificate or Security Warning.
View the file on your computer then follow the directions below.
Directions on how to use the VT Universal Access Map:
Navigation around the map using a mouse:
In order for this
applet to work correctly you must be using Microsoft Internet Explorer version
4 or greater. Using this applet within Netscape is not recommended, as it
can cause the computer to lock up requiring a manual shutdown of the power
to the computer. Also make sure that the Java option is turned on within your
Web browser.
PLEASE NOTE: The map is slow to appear on the screen and will have to regenerate its view every time you manipulate the map.
Next:
The icons at the top of the window that opens in Internet Explorer
allow you to navigate around the Virginia Tech Access Map. Please use only
the following icons in bold print (from left to right beginning with):
…………
Open File (shown by the Manila folder)
………..
Zoom In (the magnifying glass with the + sign).
Zoom Out (the magnifying glass with the - sign).
Fit to Screen (the magnifying glass with the cross
arrows)
Zoom by Selection (the magnifying glass with the square
in the center).
Pan (the hand)
……….
Layers (shown as a stack of papers): This option will not
work properly on a Mac (due to a code error), however it will on a PC.
URLs on/off (shown as a chain)
White Background (shown as a computer screen)
Views (shown as a sheet of paper with eyeglasses setting in
front of it): This option will not work properly on a Mac, however it will
on a PC.
…………
Measure
(shown as a ruler): This options allows you to measure straight line distance
(in feet; shown in the bottom left hand corner of browser window) between
mouse clicks.
Local Help
(shown as a large "?").
Remote Help (shown as a "?" inside of the window).
Information (shown as an "i" with a circular background).
If the map or applet is not entirely viewable on your computer screen you
may use the Web browser’s “Scroll Arrows” to see the entire
view. This will cause the view to regenerate several times depending upon
how far you scroll. This is normal and occurs more on a Macintosh than a PC.
If you use the scroll bars or arrows, please remember that you will need to
scroll back to the top in order to reach the navigation buttons again.
The yellow text surrounding the map is superfluous. The text and its URL links are intended for use only on PCs using the Autodesk Whip™ plug-in. The index tables listed, however, can be used to navigate around the map. On a non-PC computer (i.e., MAC, etc.) the "VIEWS" option on the top of the applet window will serve as best way to navigate the map. Its window can be resized by clicking on the lower right hand corner and dragging it to the desired size. The views are all alphabetically listed, use the scroll bar to find your desired building then click on its name to see it. This applet option, while functional, does not work correctly on all Macintosh computers.
To understand the symbols on the map, please refer to the "Legend" table located directly under the word “Symbol” on the third line of “yellow” text in the upper left-hand corner of the "map".
Please note that
this map is not printable from a Macintosh computer, and can only be "roughly"
printed (with very jagged "rasterized" lines) on a PC by clicking
the mouse’s right button and choosing this submenu option "Print".
In order to use this method on a PC it is preferable to the first zoom into
a smaller portion of the map before choosing this option.
A better viewer for the VT Access Map on a Macintosh computer is being investigated. We apologize for any inconvenience that the current viewer may cause. Printed maps of Virginia Tech's Access routes can be requested by contacting the Services for Students with Disabilities office at (540) 231-3788, or the Director of University ADA Services's office (within the Human Resource's office) at (540) 231-4638.
Questions or comments about this site may be directed to Virginia Tech's Director of University ADA Services; Virginia Reilly, Ph.D.
This page last updated:
5:35 AM, 9/28/06
Site designed by David
Bingham, Assoc. AIA 