Google Maps is providing wheelchair accessibility information by default for over 40 million places worldwide, including on public transport, pubs and restaurants.
The feature can help those with mobility needs to plan their trips by checking if the shop or landmark they’re visiting has step-free access. It could also come in handy for parents pushing a pram, or travellers lugging a suitcase.
Since 2020, the ‘Accessible Places’ feature on Google Maps was an optional one users could opt-in to. It helps to easily identify when a place has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, indicated by the wheelchair icon.
Now, the icon will be visible for everyone on Maps so you can ‘know before you go’ if there’s a step-free entrance, which is helpful whether you’re using a wheelchair, pushing a stroller, or lugging a suitcase.
If a business does not have an accessible entrance, you’ll see the same icon with a strikethrough. Additional information like wheelchair-accessible seating, parking and restrooms will also be available in the ‘About’ tab.
With over one billion people with disabilities in the world, users can help keep this information up to date.
If you notice a place you’ve visited is missing accessibility information, you can update it by scrolling to the ‘About’ tab and selecting ‘Edit features’ on Android or ‘Update this place’ on iOS.
The update is part of a series of tools offered by Google to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
The new features include AI tools to provide alt text on images and live captions for anything with sound.
Other updates include new new text-to-speech experience coming to Wear OS 4 and more accessibility for people with dyslexia, language learners, and anyone who makes typos by making it easier to get to previously visited websites despite spelling errors.
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