Chinonso Onukwugha (@ChinonsoOnukwugha) is a Level 6 Local Guide living in Owerri, a city in southeast Nigeria. Through her contributions on Google Maps and on Connect, Chinonso has shown she is passionate about accessibility. She frequently posts educational content around the topic on Connect, including an accessible travel guide to Abuja and helpful information about accessible furniture.
We recently caught up with her to learn more about her commitment to accessibility. Check out what she had to say in the interview below.
Why are you interested in accessibility? Is there a particular area in which you are interested in the most (wheelchair accessibility, vision accessibility, etc.)?
I am in interested in cognitive accessibility the most. I currently work in the education sector, so I am always intrigued to learn about ways to minimize the challenges faced by those with learning disabilities.
Why are you passionate about accessibility information being shown on Google Maps?
My grandmother sometimes gets pains in her feet, so I take walks with her so that her body can heal better. The more she moves around, the quicker the muscles in her legs adjust. Right now, we are limited by the places we can go and visit because they don’t have constructions like rails to hold on to or ramps. This is why I am passionate about accessibility information being shown on Google Maps. It’s important to know which places are accessible-friendly, so you can make proper plans ahead of time.
What have you done to help add accessibility information or generate visibility for accessibility information to/for Google Maps?
I have hosted accessible meet-ups to generate visibility. During these meet-ups, we don’t just take pictures and add information on the map; we actually talk to individuals and explain what we are doing. People in Nigeria know about Google Maps, but many don’t understand what accessibility is all about—at least in Owerri. Simply through word of mouth, you can reach a whole city! I chatted with one of my friends about the initiative, and she wants to feature me on one of the top radio stations in Owerri and in Imo State to share more insight on this. I believe we are making progress gradually.
What area (mobility, vision, hearing, etc.) are you most interested in improving?
I am most interested in improving mobility because I witness the limitations of those who are restricted everyday.
What’s your favorite Google Maps feature?
My favourite Google Maps feature is the satellite view. Sometimes I spend an hour or two just zooming in and looking at different cities.
What do you wish other Local Guides knew about accessibility?
Accessibility sounds so complicated as if you have to go above and beyond to attain this concept. I wish other Local Guides knew how easy the initiative is.
What one feature would you like to see on Google Maps?
I would like to see an accessible badge on Google Maps, similar to how restaurants have the icons on menus to indicate level of spiciness or if the meal is vegan.
What’s your tip for finding your passion through the Local Guides program?
Two tips I would give are (1) figure out your purpose within the Local Guides program and (2) don’t get so caught up with the numbers. Sometimes, I get disappointed in myself when I see the number of points I have on Google Maps because I know it doesn’t nearly equate to my passion and contributions in reality. At the same time, I get disappointed because I know there is more that I can be doing to contribute on the map. The points are important, but when you focus solely just on the numbers, the quality of your contribution diminishes. I would rather leave 10 high quality reviews than leave 50 low quality reviews simply to get the points.
For the purpose part, I joined the program in 2017 and didn’t really understand my role in it, just that I was giving feedback and reviews voluntarily. At the end of December 2018, I truly began to understand the bigger picture because I know the program aligns with my personal values. Since then, my engagement has rapidly peaked, so much that even my close friends and family do not understand why or where the interest came from! Once you understand your purpose in any organization, program or situation, you will know how you fit in to get the most out of it. Your expectations, motivation, and satisfaction will begin to align. When I initially joined the program, I only saw the Local Guides program as a platform to give feedback and reviews voluntarily. I did not understand how people could spend so much time on this. I took a hiatus and came back. My interest grew when I discovered Local Guides Connect through Emeka Ulor and realized that there was this whole platform simply to connect with others which is what I was more intrigued about! Since then, I began to understand the bigger picture and realized that the program also aligns with my personal values. Discover your purpose and passion will inevitably come.
Is there anything else we should know about you?
I have a natural skill for connecting with people on a deeper level. This is probably because I am not a fan of “small talk,” so I dive right into more intuitive topics!
