In laurels of Global Accessibility Awareness Day , Google ’s adding a long - delinquent feature to its Maps app that puts particular about a location ’s accessibility facilities front and center .
With the “ Accessible Places ” feature article enabled , business and power point of pursuit with wheelchair - accessible ingress are differentiate with a wheelchair ikon along with information about whether approachable seating , restrooms , and parking are available . Previously , all that information was tuck aside in a location ’s “ About ” menu , which user would have to voyage to for every terminus severally .
https://gizmodo.com/google-maps-is-getting-a-new-look-and-other-upgrades-fo-1841480219
Graphic: Google
“ With this characteristic ‘ rollout ’ , it ’s comfortable to find and contribute wheelchair accessibility information to Google Maps , ” Google Maps software engineer Sasha Blair - Goldensohn tell in acompany web log post Thursday . “ That benefits everyone , from those of us using wheelchairs and parents pushing saunterer to older adults with tired legs and people haul heavy item . And in this time of COVID-19 , it ’s specially important to know before you go so that you wo n’t be stranded outside that chemist’s shop , grocery or eating place . ”
To turn the lineament on , users can channelize to the app ’s “ options ” menu , then navigate to “ Accessibility options , ” and toggle on “ Accessible topographic point . ” Per Thursday ’s blog , it ’s first rolling out to users in Australia , Japan , the United Kingdom , and America with support for additional countries “ on the way . ”
presently , Google Maps control accessibility information for more than 15 million places worldwide . As for how it compile this compendium , you’re able to thank good , old - fashioned legwork for that . After a call for contributorsin 2017 , 120 million users posted update on Google Maps regarding the presence of wheelchair - accessible facilities . For reference , any registered unit can log an update — just go to the “ About ” page in a fix ’s description and tap “ Describe this place . ” As part of this latest update , this cognitive operation should become a spate easy for iOS users as well , Blair - Goldensohn say .
An estimated130 million hoi polloi worldwideare wheelchair user and roughly30 million Americanssaid they had difficulty climbing stairs or used a wheelchair , cane , crutches , or go-cart according to the last nationwide census .
GoogleGoogle MapsmapsWheelchairs
Daily Newsletter
Get the proficient tech , science , and finish news in your inbox day by day .
newsworthiness from the hereafter , deliver to your present .
You May Also Like
