Google's latest move towards accessibility validates Sunu's roadmap
Imagine walking down the sidewalk on the way to work or the store, and suddenly finding yourself turned around because new construction work is blocking your route. Or suddenly hitting your head against scaffolding that wasn't there yesterday. Have you ever found yourself in an unfamiliar area, trying to glance at your map app to decide which street to get on... then you realizing that the crosswalk signal doesn't work? These may be a minor inconvenience to most sighted people. But for those of us who are blind and low vision, these represent some of the frequent occurrences that effect our ability to navigate our surroundings and live independently. Our new mobile app intends to enhance the navigation experience for blind and low vision people.
As shown in our product roadmap, our mobile app product is being developed in three phases. We've already achieved phase 1, and we're currently testing via an invited beta despite its launch being delayed by the quarantine orders because of coronavirus.
Our second phase will allow Sunu app to become the Waze for the visually impaired traveler. With the features that we are developing along with the feedback that we're already gaining through our extended trails - blind pedestrians will know when there is an obstruction ahead, like construction or anything that limits access to their route. Our mobile app will also provide accessibility information about places. Through crowdsourced information, our app will inform users if a place has large print, information in braille, or report those places that are not friendly to guide dogs. So what does our product roadmap have to do with google?
Google Maps will highlight accessible locations with a wheelchair icon
This is great news! It not only validates Sunu's product roadmap for the mobile app;. it also means that Google is putting more attention towards accessibility within Google Maps. Google is introducing a new Accessible Places feature to Maps and search that the company says will make it easier for wheelchair users to see if a location they want to visit is accommodating to their needs. When you enable the functionality, you'll see a wheelchair icon whenever a business or public venue has an accessible entrance. You'll also be able to see if it has accessible seating, washrooms and or parking. What's more, if a destination doesn't have an entrance that is accommodating to different mobility needs, Maps will more explicitly show that information.
We're making moves to enhance our use of Google's Maps API's and data sources. We're leveraging our connections within Y-Combinator to further gain credits and access within Google Cloud and the Maps team. In the meantime, check out the video below to learn more.