Editor’s Note: This post is part of our series celebrating our Guiding Stars, the Local Guides who went above and beyond to make a difference in 2021, on Google Maps and beyond. Read more here.
Inclusivity and helpfulness are some of the key traits of Local Guides. In 2021, these ten Local Guides made Google Maps more accessible by considering the needs of others when it came to finding wheelchair- and LGBTQ±friendly locations, vaccination clinics, and more.
To celebrate our Inclusive Mappers, we wanted to share a bit about the ways they helped others this year.
Making accessibility a priority
Photos of wheelchair-accessible entrances, aisles, outdoor locations, and more are Marco’s ( @marcorp ) specialty. He loves to create lists, too, like this one of accessible shopping malls in Lima.
Zuhra ( @Zuhralc ) found her passion for helping others discover accessible places after experiencing discomfort whenever she walked following a surgery. As an advocate for equal access, she pays attention to ramps, entrances, handicapped parking, and more in her reviews and lists on Google Maps.
Identifying LGBTQ±friendly places
Martiña ( @martygm ) has a knack for discovering unconventional venues wherever she goes, and her passion is drag shows. Her contributions help members of the LGBTQ+ community find the best places in the Dominican Republic and beyond.
Nick’s ( @HeyitsNicho ) posts on Connect and Google Maps spark conversations around new places and things to experience, while he guides others to LGBTQ±, family-, and kid-friendly locations.
Responding to COVID-19 and other crisis
Earlier this year, Anshuk ( @AnshukMitra ) launched an initiative called “Connecting Rural India,” aiming to map roads in remote parts of his country. His thoughts for others who need help in times of emergency also shine through the lists he creates on Google Maps. He regularly updates them with information about accessibility and available COVID vaccines.
When the pandemic hit Mexico City, Imperio ( @Imperiospice ) dedicated her efforts to assisting people suffering from COVID-19. She has been including information on health protocols in her reviews and has created more than 25 helpful lists.
Sharing knowledge
Jane ( @JaneBurunina ) and Kashif ( @KashifMisidia ) hosted a hugely successful series of virtual meet-ups to talk about accessibility in several countries and share their tips as Accessibility Champions on how Local Guides can improve their contributions to serve their local communities better. Both continue to make Google Maps more accessible in their hometowns, too. Jane focuses on details like the width of the tables at a restaurant and the access to public transportation in her reviews, while Kashif has been spreading nationwide awareness about how Local Guides can support small businesses.
An active member of the Brazilian Local Guides community, Sarah ( @SarahKa ) has been helping her peers by organizing meet-ups and challenges and sharing her expertise on and off Connect. She also leads by example: her contributions on Maps are meant to serve everyone, from people with disabilities to those looking for a vegetarian meal.
Tejal’s ( @Tejal ) compassion extends to every facet of her life. She champions accessibility not only on Connect and Google Maps but also in her profession. In 2021, she helped students with vision impairment learn more about the world through Google Maps and invited like-minded Local Guides to join some of her virtual sessions.
Join us in congratulating our Inclusive Mappers in the comments below!
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