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Employees Work to make Google Maps 'Accessible'

The Independent reports that the popular map and navigation tool, Google Maps will now tell you whether locations are accessible – and it’s thanks to a group of ‘Googlers’ (that’s Google employees to you and me) who worked on the feature in their ’20% time’.

Rob Price reports that “it’s a famous policy of the Californian search giant that their employees can spend 20% of their time working on other projects unrelated to their main jobs.

“The map tool already displays some information about some venues and locations, like busy-ness, opening times, reviews, and atmosphere. Alongside this, it will now display information about their suitability for people with access needs.

How does Google Maps know? It sources the answers from its “Local Guides” – Google Maps users who answer questions about the places they visit on everything from cost to quietness. Earlier this year, queries on accessibility were added to the questions asked to these users, and with millions of answers, Google now feels confident enough to start displaying the results on its listings.”

Google Maps now joins DisabledGo – the website with detailed access information about thousands of venues across the UK and RofI – as organisations working to make access information available to all who need it.

What do you think of this new Google Maps feature? Do you use websites such as DisabledGo to see detailed access guides on venues in your area? Let us know in the comments below, on our Facebook page, or over on Twitter.

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Comments

  • Andrew:

    05 Jan 2017 11:45:31

    Don’t forget Euan’s Guide at https://www.euansguide.com/

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