Frequently Asked Questions
What is Accessibility Mapr?
Why did you create Accessibilty Mapr?
What on earth does 'Mapr' mean?
How can I help?
What is Accessibility Mapr?
Accessibility Mapr is like a cross between Wikipedia, Google Maps, and a disability access map. Anyone can add information about the accessibility of any location on earth to the map, and the information is then available for all to freely view.
Accessibility Mapr is like a cross between Wikipedia, Google Maps, and a disability access map. Anyone can add information about the accessibility of any location on earth to the map, and the information is then available for all to freely view.
Why did you create Accessibilty Mapr?
I'm a wheelchair user and I spend a great deal of time trying to work out if various places that I want to or need to go to are going to be accessible. Often they're not, which sucks. But equally unjust, I would argue, is how difficult it can be to get accessibility information without going to the location in person.
Sure, some large organisations and businesses publish accessibility information on their websites, but the quality of the information varies and can be difficult to find. And most small businesses haven't even thought about accessibility, let alone publicised it. You can ring up, but what guarantee do you have that the person on the other end knows what they're talking about.
My hope is that Accessibility Mapr can be a repository of grass roots accessibility knowledge: for people with disabilities, by people with disabilities. A Wikipedia of accessibility info...on a map. I invite you to start using Accessibility Mapr to document accessibility info pertaining to any disability: mobility, sensory, intellectual, print, etc. Mark the locations of ramps, elevators, bathrooms, audio loops, braille signage, stairs, etc. In particular, contribute the type of information that you wouldn't find on any official accessibility document. Your local cinema has an elevator but it's often broken? Document it. The local cafe has a ramp, but the owner is a real jerk about putting it out. Document it. Also, like Wikipedia, Acessibility Mapr is user editable. If you can add to any marker, correct or update information, or fix bad writing, please do so.
I'm a wheelchair user and I spend a great deal of time trying to work out if various places that I want to or need to go to are going to be accessible. Often they're not, which sucks. But equally unjust, I would argue, is how difficult it can be to get accessibility information without going to the location in person.
Sure, some large organisations and businesses publish accessibility information on their websites, but the quality of the information varies and can be difficult to find. And most small businesses haven't even thought about accessibility, let alone publicised it. You can ring up, but what guarantee do you have that the person on the other end knows what they're talking about.
My hope is that Accessibility Mapr can be a repository of grass roots accessibility knowledge: for people with disabilities, by people with disabilities. A Wikipedia of accessibility info...on a map. I invite you to start using Accessibility Mapr to document accessibility info pertaining to any disability: mobility, sensory, intellectual, print, etc. Mark the locations of ramps, elevators, bathrooms, audio loops, braille signage, stairs, etc. In particular, contribute the type of information that you wouldn't find on any official accessibility document. Your local cinema has an elevator but it's often broken? Document it. The local cafe has a ramp, but the owner is a real jerk about putting it out. Document it. Also, like Wikipedia, Acessibility Mapr is user editable. If you can add to any marker, correct or update information, or fix bad writing, please do so.
What on earth does 'Mapr' mean?
That's just my lame attempt to join the web 2.0 craze of removing perfectly functional vowels from website names (e.g., 'Flickr').
That's just my lame attempt to join the web 2.0 craze of removing perfectly functional vowels from website names (e.g., 'Flickr').
How can I help?
I'm looking for:
- mysql, PHP, and Javascript gurus to help develop the site
- HTML, CSS and graphics pros to help pretty up the site
- web accessibility experts
- lawyers to advise on and create disclaimers etc.
- volunteer moderators
And I need everyone to:
- post bug reports
- suggest features
- and help devise community standards and conventions for posting on the site.
I'm looking for:
- mysql, PHP, and Javascript gurus to help develop the site
- HTML, CSS and graphics pros to help pretty up the site
- web accessibility experts
- lawyers to advise on and create disclaimers etc.
- volunteer moderators
And I need everyone to:
- post bug reports
- suggest features
- and help devise community standards and conventions for posting on the site.