Meet Accessibility Champion, Shafiul

Local Guide Md Shafiul Bashar (@ShafiulB) wants to help people with disabilities and influence the development of more accessibility features in his area through Google Maps and the Local Guides program. He’s a social worker from Cumilla, Bangladesh, who’s currently living in Dhaka. Shafiul has submitted two accessibility ideas in the Idea Exchange about including a question about breastfeeding corners on Google Maps, as well as adding a new breastfeeding corner category. He’s actively organising accessibility meet-ups, too, with his next meet-up coming up on November 30, 2019!

We got in touch with Shafiul to learn more about his efforts to map accessibility information and make his area more inclusive.

Why are you interested in accessibility?

Accessibility is an important part of our society. After getting encouragement from the Local Guides Team on Connect, I felt stimulated to start mapping accessibility [features] in my country. I believe that it could help the community of people with disabilities find trouble-free paths.

Why are you passionate about accessibility information being shown on

Google Maps?

Google Maps is the only trusted and widely used map in the world. Every kind of person uses it and relies on it. Thanks to its accessibility features, differently abled people who use Maps can easily travel everywhere. That’s why, as a volunteer and social worker, I am very passionate about adding accessibility information on Google Maps.

What have you done to help add accessibility information or generate visibility for accessibility information to/for Google Maps?

I frequently answer accessibility questions on Maps after visiting a place. Checking for accessibility features, women- and children-friendly zones, as well as taking photos of these is something I pay special attention to as a Local Guide. I organized several accessibility meet-ups in Bangladesh to [check if] government buildings and public places are wheelchair accessible. I believe that spreading awareness is the best way to improve accessibility facilities in our country. Here are some of the successful accessibility meet-ups which I have hosted and attended.

I also inspired other Local Guides to host accessibility meet-ups in their cities.

By organizing these meet-ups and campaigns, we try our best to spread the word about the accessibility features of Google Maps and raise awareness about the rights of people with disabilities.

What area (mobility, vision, hearing, etc.) are you most interested in improving?

I am interested in improving every area, but improving wheelchair accessibility would be the [one I’m interested in the most]. It would allow people in wheelchairs to [more easily] join us in various activities.

What’s your favorite Google Maps feature?

I have more than one favorite Google Maps features, but my number one is the Street View feature.

Are there any posts on Connect or meet-ups you’ve hosted that help demonstrate your contributions around accessibility to Local Guides, Google Maps, and your community?

Yes; the post “What I specially care most Sharing on Maps?” demonstrates my contributions towards accessibility, together with the “Let’s Map Accessibility” project.

Are you passionate about making Maps more inclusive? Tell us how you’re making a positive impact in the comments below.

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@Ivi_Ge thank you for the inspiring interview. @ShafiulB well done. The ideas you have added are very useful.

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Wow @ShafiulB brother congratulation!

Thanks @Ivi_Ge for featuring him as accessibility champion.

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Cool highlight of @ShafiulB - nice one @Ivi_Ge

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Thank you all for your kind comments. @ShafiulB deserves them!

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Thanks for sharing this post, @Ivi_Ge . This post is very impressive for all Local Guides. We know the disable people are very deprived from all facilities. But this platform is very serious to give importance for helping disabilities.

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Gracias por compartir @Ivi_Ge , y felicitar a @ShafiulB por su gran dedicación a temas como la accesibilidad, donde hacer la diferencia en la calidad de vida en otros ciudadanos en las ciudades es muy importante :clap: :clap:

Farid.

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Wow, dear brother @ShafiulB

It’s a really great work that you’re doing, absolutely we’re proud of for you. Thanks for your wonderful ideas.

Also, cordially thanks to @Ivi_Ge for featuring this, Have a great day

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very nice post @Ivi_Ge

@ShafiulB is definitely one of those Local Guides who will never cease to amaze us and will carry on getting his community.

This week has been treat for me as I got to read so many beautiful posts

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অভিনন্দন @ShafiulB ভাই।

ধন্যবাদ @Ivi_Ge

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Thank you @Ivi_Ge for sharing this beautiful post, good job @ShafiulB , well done.

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Congratulations @ShafiulB bro u are inspiring to other Local guides as a Accessibility champion…

@Ivi_Ge thank you for sharing with us…

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Hi @Ivi_Ge Thanks a lot for your valuable post sharing with us, and Congratulations @ShafiulB Brother, for your amazing work.

Best Regards.

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Thank you @Ivi_Ge for sharing detailed Introduction of my dear friend and Fellow local guide @ShafiulB . Shafi Bhai, congratulations for being a champion. I have had the chance to interact with you numerous times on Chats before CL19 and you are a genuine and very helpful person, an inspiration to others for the commitment you have to the local guides program and the Bangladesh community in which you live.

Keep it up Bhai :heart_eyes: :v:

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@ShafiulB Congratulations for your achievements. You have been consistent with accessibility advocacy in your community. This is highly commendable and I look forward to seeing great meetups from your country. keep it up bro.

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@EmekaUlor , you are a model of the world regarding accessibility. Everybody can follow you. If you have scope to visit Bangladesh we will highly be pleased.

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@Ivi_Ge Thanks a lot for featuring me here and It will inspire me to do more, Thanks also @TraciC for constantly inspiring us to update Wheelchair Accessibility. I am thankful to the Local Guides Community for the recent achievement.

@Abdoado Thanks you too for your nice comment and inspiring!

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@Ivi_Ge Thank you for the introduce

Congratulations @ShafiulB Brother :heartpulse:

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@Kamalhasnainee Welcome my brother and fellow to help me and support me in my way of Local Guides community. I am so happy that in Bangladesh we have 02 Accessibility Champion.

@PaulPavlinovich You are an inspiring Local Guide and thank you for your nice comment.

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@ShafiulB Congratulations

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