Meetup Recap: Accessibility Beyond Borders – The Local Guides’ Perspectives.
On July 19, 2025,members of the one accessibility team @EmekaUlor@ChinonsoOnukwugha@Jesi@Julietezego hosted local Guides together for a meaningful virtual conversation with speakers from various parts of the world.
The session was a warm and engaging space where attendees got insights on the special guests personal journeys and local experiences around accessibility. We explored how accessibility is viewed through different cultural lenses and discussed how Local Guides are making a difference in their communities by mapping accessible places, raising awareness, and starting conversations that matter.
Special thanks to our guest speakers @KattyGeltmeyer@LaloPadilla@DelianaPermatasari and @stevepierre who took out time from their busy schedule to join this meetup.
One of the highlights of the meetup was the inspiring conversation with @KattyGeltmeyer, who shared her lived experience as someone visually impaired. Her perspective brought depth and heart to the conversation, reminding us all why this work is important.
Accessibility looks different across cultures, but the need for it is universal.
There’s still a lot to be done, but each Local Guide has a role to play—whether it’s adding accessibility details on maps or educating others.
Our collective efforts can make the world more inclusive, one small action at a time.
The participants had their questions answered and the community left energized with ideas, goals, and a renewed sense of responsibility. Some guides have already taken on new tasks, aiming to highlight accessible spots in their neighborhoods.
Thanks to everyone who showed up, spoke up, and shared. Let’s keep pushing the conversation beyond borders.
Thanks for sharing @Julietezego
We appreciate all those who took time to join us for this meaningful conversation. Don’t forget to join us next month for another webinar.
Cc: @SP31@doc_dells
Thanks for inviting me. I especially am happy with the suggestion of @stevepierre who suggested to add an option to notify other pedestrians of things blocking the pavement and other issues important for pedestrians. @Lalopadilla who suggested to organise a walk while using blind folds I would advise to try something else: firstly get used of using talkback while your screen is active. Your screen will react otherwise, tapping text is different when talkback is active. After you get used to do this fluently, you can try out the following: turn on talkback and after that disable your screen: talkback settings, disable screen, so that you must use the voice talkback is using to read what is on screen. After this you can do 2 things: 1: you can stay inside your house and explore a known route to a place you know. You’ll get the textual info available on google maps. 2: if you are courageous, you can explore a route you don’t know before start while using only talkback and disabled screen. Use pedestrian modus and find out if you can reach the destination without seeing the visual info on the map, just by following the textual instructions. Good luck.
It was a great time with all sharing stories, insights, and tips to help progress accessibility forward, especially in regards to Google Maps and the Local Guides Program. Thank you @Julietezego & @EmekaUlor and everyone!
Thanks @Julietezego@EmekaUlor and all the One Accessibility Team for inviting us to this webinar!
And also thanks @KattyGeltmeyer for the feedback ! The meet-up is still an idea and maybe we can use some other Google apps like Lookout, many of the Mexico community have contributed to Crowdsource so they’ll be really happy to know some of their images might have been used to train models used for the Lookout app.
And be sure we will take all the necessary precautions, safety first !
Thanks for sharing 