This is the recap from Accessibility 
in Michigan Parks.
@AlfredBrock and I, @Erna_LaBeau two Michiganders conducted a virtual meetup on Saturday, August 21 @10 am EST. Due to the 1-hour time limit, I was glad to be able to jump to the next meetup at the last minute without ruining our fun. We also have a speaker, sharing his knowledge about Accessible Live in Google Earth - @ErmesT . On behalf of Alfred and me, thank you so much, Ermes!
*Caption: Photo collage of the attendees by @Erna_LaBeau *
The meetup started with presenting the video from Google regarding Introducing Accessible Places on Google Maps.I watched this video at the Indonesian Independence Day meetup. I thought it is very inspiring since our topic is Accessibility in Michigan Parks.
After the Video, Alfred introduced himself followed by me. We are both Accessibility and Accessible LIfe in Google Earth enthusiasts. We would love to see all the parks in Michigan for the future will be able to be viewed in Accessible Life in Google Earth. As Ermes mentioned before let’s have the visitors or viewers determine if the park is accessible for themselves.
In the next session, @ErmesT explaining how he got inspired that the love to get more in-depth in Accessible Life using Goold Earth as the search engine to make places more accessible so people in wheelchairs and other disabled person has the same ability to go as others.
He also explains how to prepare ourselves, as Local Guides in participating in Accessible Life in Google Earth. Since it was launched there is India, Italy, London, California, Michigan, Mexico, and Argentina. I am very sure there are more to come. Ermes explained (where I fully agree) once you set your mindsets to Accessible LIfe in Google Earth this will change your perception when visiting the park. Now it is not just about the accessibility parking, accessibility restroom, benches to rest, food stall, etc. Accessible Life in Google Earth will cover all aspects. There is a list that you have to keep handy as a guide you have to follow.
Through Google Earth, we can have a basic view of how the park is but that is we can visit the place to see more details on the place in Google using MyMaps for this park.
I encourage all Accessibility Champions and Accessibility enthusiasts to participate in this project. It looks difficult but it is actually not that complicated. If you are interested in doing it, please reach to Ermes.
Alfred, a Connect Live 2019 attendee is also a politician, a Councilman from Wayne City. In a city, there are councilmen and Mayor who represent the other folks in the city. Alfred has been doing some work in Google for about 5 years now. He is actively updating parks, businesses in Google Maps.
Alfred shared some political issues with us if Michigan Representative and Michigan Senator will hear from three people about one issue that is important and they will go to do something about it. Another way to report places that is not accessible is to bring the issue to City Council Meeting, write a letter to City Representative or the Senator, inform the local park, write to a local newspaper. The issue does not just come from the locals but also the international community. There is also a Federal representative that can be contacted to report an issue about accessibility.
Caption: This park is designated as accessible yet except for oblique references it’s not labeled anywhere that it’s set up for that purpose (photo credit @AlfredBrock )
Let me share something with you all, when I add photos in Google Map I have a tendency to check others’ photos, and you can guess whose photos I see almost in every place in Michigan, that’s Alfred’s photos. And I always make comments “it’s your photos again, Al?” Now it makes me wonder. @Alfred, do you find my photo everywhere as well?
Caption: Alternative Ramp (photo by @Erna_LaBeau )
@indahnuria and @doc_dells also shared about accessibility in Indonesia. How lately the issue about accessibility has reached businesses. The newer building designs will follow the accessibility guideline governs by their authorities. This is in response to @RahmatHarmanP and thanks for your questions.
Last but not least thank you so much to all attendees.
“ Let’s Change This World To A Better Place For All One Day At A Time ”
Thank you,
Alfred & Erna
