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Google Maps becomes more wheelchair friendly with launch of journey-planner tool for disabled people

Disability campaigners have welcomed the launch of a new feature on Google Maps designed to help wheelchair-users find step-free routes around London.

The tech giant has launched an extra filter on their Maps service enabling users to select a ‘wheelchair accessible’ option when looking up public transport directions around the city.

Transport for All, which campaigns for disabled access across London’s transport network, said the option represented a “big step forward”.

But the charity warned that Google would need to ensure that all data was accurate to prevent people from becoming stuck when lifts were temporarily broken.

Accessible: The app launched the new option on Thursday (Google Maps)
Accessible: The app launched the new option on Thursday (Google Maps)

Google Maps said that the feature was introduced “to make public transport work for everyone” because information about which stations and routes are wheelchair friendly “is not always readily available or easy to find”.

How to use

Go onto Google Maps and select your destination

Click ‘directions’ and select the public transport option

Click ‘options’ and check the box next to ‘wheelchair friendly’

“Everyone should be able to discover the world and navigate their city with Google Maps, so we're excited to introduce information about accessible public transport routes, Rio Akasaka, Google Maps product manager, told the Standard.

“We hope that this guidance, combined with accessibility information added by Local Guides, will help make getting around London easier for those with mobility needs."

The feature was rolled out in London, Tokyo, Mexico City, Boston, and Sydney on Thursday, with plans to extend it to other locations around the world.

Praising the move, Alan Benson, chair of Transport for All said: “The fact that such a powerful application like Google Maps is now offering an easily accessible step-free access option is a big step forward and one we warmly welcome.

“This gives Disabled People the same information as everyone else has had for years. Planning a wheelchair friendly journey is an absolute nightmare and this will help enormously. This new option will free many people to travel easily in a way previously denied them.”

Disabled people: The app will help wheelchair users navigate around the capital (SGENET/Pixabay)
Disabled people: The app will help wheelchair users navigate around the capital (SGENET/Pixabay)

But the charity noted that not all routes had been updated with temporary lift closures and warned that this could leave app users stranded if they do not have access to up-to-date information.

“The success of this app will depend on accurate data,” Mr Benson added. “If the information supplied [...] is not accurate and up-to-date then wheelchair and mobility scooter users - as well as other Disabled and older people who need step-free access - will find themselves stranded on the network by broken lifts or inaccessible routes. Wrong information is worse than no information at all.”

Google said it would be continuing to improve the feature and encouraged users to provide feedback via the app.

The company said that it should be used as a guide and in conjunction with Google Maps’ Local Guides – which adds accessibility information from people in more than 12 million locations around the world – as well as Street View preview.

“We built this feature to make life easier for people who use wheelchairs, but accessible routes are also helpful if you’re on crutches or pushing a stroller. With the help of transit agencies around the globe and people like you who contribute local knowledge, we’re making progress toward a more accessible world for everyone,” the statement added.