Local Guide Tejal Bhairav Chhaya ( @Tejal ) lives in Valsad, Gujarat, India, and is passionate about teaching and helping children with disabilities. She organizes regular online classes for them free of charge and takes them on virtual tours with the help of Google Maps. Tejal often invites other Local Guides to her sessions, and the community loves her dedication and compassion.
We reached out to Tejal to learn more about her unique approach to championing accessibility on Google Maps and in her community.
Why are you interested in accessibility? Is there a particular area in which you are interested the most (wheelchair accessibility, vision accessibility, etc.)?
Accessibility means a lot to me. It has always been of prime aim to help those less fortunate and provide them with means that ease their discomfort. I am interested in all [areas] of accessibility and wish to improve their status on Maps.
Tell us about your initiative to teach children with disabilities about Google Maps and Google Assistant. How did it start?
I hosted my first meet-up at a school for blind people with the Gujarat Local Guides @NareshDarji , @rajuroyal , and @PriyankaU . We [talked] about Google Assistant and its accessibility features to both students and staff.
I try to give a one-hour online class to the students once a week or three times a month. [The sessions include] a virtual tour of one place and a general knowledge presentation, on which I ask questions.
The students and parents appreciate my work, and this gives me inspiration. During Cyclone Tauktae, one of my students called me to [tell me to] take care of myself as he heard from Google Assistant that the storm was nearing the shore of Gujarat. Another boy named Krishna is very interested in learning new things, and he started his own YouTube channel. I hope I will be able to visit the school after the lockdown and spend some time with the children.
I used to help teachers whenever they needed any technical support, too. My friend and I [also] used to celebrate our parents’ birthdays with the students and give them gifts and food in remembrance. On December 3, the International Day of Disabled Persons, I distributed one writing pad and one notebook [per student] as a gift.
What have you done to help add accessibility information or generate visibility for accessibility information on Google Maps?
Ever since I joined the Local Guides program, I have especially valued accessibility in my contributions. I like to add accessibility information to my reviews, [share] photos, and add places on the map run by owners [with disabilities].
What’s your favorite Google Maps feature?
I like the Updates tab, which helps me get the latest information about places around me, like restaurants and small businesses.
What one feature would you like to see on Google Maps?
I would like to [see] features for blind and deaf people, such as instructions in regional language so the community can follow them easily.
What do you wish other Local Guides knew about accessibility?
My fellow Local Guides should contact schools for blind children and children with disabilities and organize more meet-ups with them [to] teach them about the world with [the help of] Google Maps.
What’s your tip for finding your passion through the Local Guides program?
If you want to help people, then the Local Guides platform is a great place. Through [it], you can help millions of people and meet enthusiastic people like yourself and learn something new from them.
Are there any other meet-ups you’ve hosted that help demonstrate your contributions around accessibility to Local Guides, Google Maps, and your community?
Here is a list of my meet-ups :
- “Recap: Navsarjan a New Path:” I added this school on Google Maps;
- “Recap: Learning session for unsighted:” My first meet-up with the Gujarat Local Guides;
- “Recap: A special drawing competition:” A drawing competition for children with disabilities;
- “Navsarjan (Newly created):” A video message from the children about [staying safe during] COVID-19;
- “Recap: Accessible talk show:” Mr. Paresh Bhanushali doesn’t have hands, and yet he successfully runs his medical store, which I added on Google Maps;
- “Recap: Let’s celebrate WAD (World Accessibility Day);”
- “Recap: Ability to access” and “(Recap)
Accessible Gujarat: Tithal Beach:” Added accessibility information on Google Maps; - “[Recap] Accessibility Awareness Through Google Maps:” Glimpses of my online classes. I use Google Maps for the virtual tour [and] explain the history [of a place] so students can see and understand the location;
- “Recap - Accessibility Education for Differently-Abled Persons - A Virtual Session:” [We] explained how Google Maps helps the community.
I [have] learned many things regarding accessibility from @KashifMisidia and @JaneBurunina during their virtual meet-ups. Thank you, Kashif and Jane.
Is there anything else we should know about you?
I am very passionate about teaching and cooking. I love to add information on the map regarding businesses or places run by people with disabilities. I also feel happy when I can do something for the environment: recycle, reuse, [map] e-waste bins.
Are you or someone you know an Accessibility Champion? Tell us how you’re making a positive impact in the comments below or nominate another Local Guide using our nomination form.
You have always been inspiration to many local guides to initiative accessibility work, you are a truly a champion 
on Accessibility Champion.