Photo: Google
Google has announced a new feature in Google Maps that would help show wheelchair accessibility information, such as accessible seating, restroom, and parking.
Shipped as part of a new mode called Accessible Places, the new feature is rolling out as we speak to Android and iOS devices – there’s no word just yet if and when it could make its way to the Android Auto and CarPlay version of Google Maps.
If you don’t see the feature just yet, check again in a couple of days, as Google says it’s rolling it out gradually to devices in Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. More countries would follow in the coming months.
To enable the new accessibility tools, head over to the Google Maps app > Profile pic > Settings > Accessibility settings > Accessible places.
The next time you search for a specific location, you should see a wheelchair icon next to the results if a place is known for offering accessible entrance, restroom, seating, parking, and elevator.
“Google Maps has wheelchair accessibility information for more than 15 million places around the world. That number has more than doubled since 2017 thanks to the dedication of more than 120 million Local Guides and others who’ve responded to our call to share accessibility information. In total, this community has contributed more than 500 million wheelchair accessibility updates to Google Maps,” Google says.
The search company is also making it easier for iOS users to contribute with accessibility information in order to help make the details displayed on Google Maps more accurate. Google Maps will now ask a series of question when trying to edit business information, including several related to the availability of accessible entrances, bathrooms, seating, and parking.
Google promises to ship even more accessibility features in the coming updates for Google Maps, and we’ve reached out to the company ask about plans for Android Auto and CarPlay as well.
[YOUTUBE= https://youtu.be/-oWsAMwJ-ks]
If you don’t see the feature just yet, check again in a couple of days, as Google says it’s rolling it out gradually to devices in Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. More countries would follow in the coming months.
To enable the new accessibility tools, head over to the Google Maps app > Profile pic > Settings > Accessibility settings > Accessible places.
The next time you search for a specific location, you should see a wheelchair icon next to the results if a place is known for offering accessible entrance, restroom, seating, parking, and elevator.
“Google Maps has wheelchair accessibility information for more than 15 million places around the world. That number has more than doubled since 2017 thanks to the dedication of more than 120 million Local Guides and others who’ve responded to our call to share accessibility information. In total, this community has contributed more than 500 million wheelchair accessibility updates to Google Maps,” Google says.
The search company is also making it easier for iOS users to contribute with accessibility information in order to help make the details displayed on Google Maps more accurate. Google Maps will now ask a series of question when trying to edit business information, including several related to the availability of accessible entrances, bathrooms, seating, and parking.
Google promises to ship even more accessibility features in the coming updates for Google Maps, and we’ve reached out to the company ask about plans for Android Auto and CarPlay as well.
[YOUTUBE= https://youtu.be/-oWsAMwJ-ks]
Google News