Creating an Accessible Resource for Ocean County, NJ ♿️

[marcorp]

Hello everyone, how are you all doing? It’s started snowing here, so I’ve decided to stay home for a while and take advantage of the time to write this post. Later, I’ll go sledding with my daughters!

One of the things I enjoy doing as a Local Guide is sharing what I learn about accessible places on Google Maps . As many of you already know, I have many hobbies and diverse interests when it comes to the videos, photos, and reviews I create . However, this year I learned that making life a little easier for people who face challenges finding accessible places is, in my opinion, a responsibility that I have gladly decided to take on in order to leave my accessible mark on Google Maps .

In Ocean County, New Jersey, , where I currently live, there are several places that have taken the initiative to provide tangible and emotional accessibility . In this list I’ve created, Access Ocean County: Guide to Access, I’ve compiled the best options I’ve found so far, including parks, libraries, ice cream shops, aquariums, shopping malls, and much more .

I wrote a few posts this year about some of these places and we were fortunate to have a virtual meetup to brainstorm about accessibility in Google Maps , you can check them out here

Accessibility Series - Ocean Acres Lake Park

The Ripple Effect of a Park: A Journey into Accessibility at Cattus Island

Más allá de las rampas: Cómo Ocean County Library fomenta la accesibilidad

Recap: [Virtual] United States, August 10, Virtual Meetup: Exploring Emotional & Psychological Accessibility in Google Maps!

Virtual Meetup Presentation

Of course, the idea is for this list to grow little by little and become a helpful tool for all users. Here I’m sharing photos of some of the places included in the list; I hope you like them.

I wonder, what other accessible options do you think should be marked on Google Maps?

As always, I leave you with this thought so we don’t forget… #letsguide

Marco

[ErmesT]

Dear @marcorp , I simply love this post, and I’ve saved your list.
this year was very busy for me, and I didn’t had the possibility to be too much in Connect, but I will check your posts now.

@marcorp

I wonder, what other accessible options do you think should be marked on Google Maps?

As you may know unfortunately Google Maps has not been designed for outdoor Accessibility, and this is the main reason why I created Accessible Life in Google Earth - The program is now Public for Everyone to contribute
Defining the Accessibility of an outdoor place is not very easy, because limited mobility is very subjective, mobility limitation are different from a person to another, and what can be accessible for someone can be difficult for others, due to several reasons: Size of the place, type of terrain, availability of services, toilettes, and so on.
In May I had a long day in New York with Sasha (the manager of Accessibility in Google Maps) and @KarenVChin and he guided us in one of the Parks near his home, Riverside Park.
He supported me a Lot in the preliminary work of Accessible Life, inviting also me as a Panelist on Geo4Good 2021, Accessibility Panel - Adventures in Disability Equity. Accessible Life was featured as one of the best project of the year, as you can see here at minute 2:21
https://www.youtube.com/live/8bfqVfJ-6p8?si=nwEpLri6SjwfixUR&t=142

If you want to join us, and of course if you have time, we will be very happy to have you in the group.

Hugs

Ermes

[marcorp]

@ErmesT it´s been a year of deep reflexion about accesibility for so many reasons, and of course, it would be a pleasure to participate in the group and share my thoughts!.

[Ssiddharth2000]

@marcorp My friend how are you? Winters are my favourite time of the year and though it does get cold where I live, we don’t get snow here. Couple of years ago I travelled to the nearby mountains where I finally saw snowfall for the first time. It was an exhilarating experience. Something about winters makes us happy and it’s a very satisfying feeling. Sledding with family sounds fun!

Coming to this post, it’s such a wonderful way to spread awareness about Emotional and Psychological accessibility, about the places which actually help make people’s life a little better. I checked the useful list you created and I’m sure many peo will benefit from it. Thanks for sharing this heartening post.

[marcorp]

@Ssiddharth2000 yes, my friend . For me, this year is being very challenging in so many ways at an emotional level, and finding good spots to reflect and relax became extremely useful. Based on my personal experience I decided to go further and try to share and contribute in more meaningful ways.

[Silvi]

Muy interesante post @marcorp siempre el tema accesibilidad es muy importante para señalar en nuestras reseñas. Me quedé pensando en la "accesibilidad emocional " que señalaste y perdón mi ignorancia pero no sé cómo sería un lugar con ésta característica.
Si bien aquí aprendí mucho sobre accesibilidad y como mejorar mis reseñas añadiendo ésta información tan importante, se que aún me falta mucho por aprender.

[marcorp]

@Silvi Hola Silvi, como estas! Si, es un tema super interesante, aprendi que la accesibilidad psicologica o emocional tiene como objetivo reducir el estrés mental. Digamos que la definicion mas estructurada la hice agunos meses en el virtual meetup que organice, aca te doy algunos alcances!:

Se trata de hacer que un espacio sea fácil de entender, navegar y usar.

• Diseño Predecible: Señalización clara, caminos bien definidos y diseños lógicos.

• Tareas Manejables: Dividir un sendero largo con bancos en diferentes etapas para que el recorrido se sienta menos abrumador.

• Información Clara: Proporcionar direcciones e información claras para que las personas no se sientan perdidas o ansiosas.

He visto que algunos espacios abiertos como parques, por ejemplo, utlizan mucho de esto.

[Silvi]

De verdad es muy interesante @marcorp gracias por la explicación, lo tendré en cuenta.

[marcorp]

@Silvi es un gusto como siempre!