Accessibility map of downtown Calgary

Accessible Mapping Research Lab

A team dedicated to researching, mapping, and expanding our understanding of the barriers that those with visible and invisible disabilities face in the built environment.

The Accessible Mapping Research Lab, directed by Dr. Victoria Fast, is a research team at the University of Calgary dedicated to elevating accessibility and inclusivity in both urban and digital environments. Our mapping, research, and educational work focuses on expanding our understanding of the barriers that those with visible and invisible disabilities face in the built environment.

Our Research

A hand holding a cell phone looking at points on a digital map

Participatory Mapping

Accessibility mapping research where participants can translate their lived experiences into spatial evidence for action.

An image of the lower half of a wheelchair, surrounded by people walking

Disability GIS

Making diverse disability-relevant perspectives more visible by linking experience, theory, and ethics to spatial data, classification, and decision-making.

An image of puzzle pieces with a symbol for disability centered among other pieces with a symbol for a standing person

Accessible Education

Integrating disability perspectives and promoting inclusivity in teaching and research through educational resources, modules, and research support.


Latest Lab News

Breaking Barriers Day

In partnership with the Better Mobility Lab, The Accessible Mapping Lab is participating in Breaking Barriers Day on June 10, 2026

Join us to learn more about how ableism might present in our classrooms, labs, campus, application processes, conversations, and more. We will discuss key concepts around disability justice and reflect on how these concepts can be meaningfully integrated into our educational, research, administrative, leadership, and clinical practices.

  • In-Person Registration Deadline: Friday, June 5, 2026
  • Virtual Registration Deadline: Monday, June 8, 2026

In the News

A close-up photo of Dr. Fast standing in front of a large screen titled "Future Skills"

UCalgary prepares students with skills to thrive across all aspects of life

Future Skills learning modules uncover the hidden curriculum that drives success across school, work, and personal lives

A group picture of Dr. Fast with her research students wearing red University of Calgary shirts

UCalgary undergraduate students work across disciplines and with their community

Summer research programs introduce transdisciplinary thinking into students’ experiences

A logo image for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

This is a day to amplify the leadership of persons with disabilities and allies working towards an inclusive future

Dec. 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities; meet some of the UCalgary faculty, staff, students and administrators examining disability and accessibility from diverse perspectives

Dr. Fast standing in front of a large screen displaying an accessbility map of campus created by her students

UCalgary researcher leads exploration of urban accessibility barriers across the globe

Dr. Victoria Fast's transdisciplinary research on creating accessible cities and societies is one of 18 research projects to receive SSHRC Insight Grants