One of the most helpful things we can do as Local Guides is add photos on Google Maps showing accessible places. These photos aid people with mobility issues in navigating places they want to go. As part of #LetsGuide, a celebration of everything that inspires us to share info as Local Guides, here are my tips for taking helpful photos that guide people with accessibility needs.
To start, keep in mind that some of the places you’d never think to photograph might be the most helpful for someone else. Consider hardware stores, grocery stores, and everything in between. Once you’ve settled on a spot, here’s what to keep in mind for great photos:
The easiest thing you can do when taking photos for accessibility is to look for signs. If you see signage noting a spot is accessible, photographing it is the first step in making sure someone knows that they might be able to go to that place.
Tip 2: If there’s no direct signage, look for other accessibility clues
Sometimes there isn’t clear signage about accessibility, but you can look for other clues about a place that might be helpful for others. Here are some things to look for and photograph: railings in restrooms, spacing between tables, and wheelchair-accessible ramps at entrances and exits. Use your photo’s caption to provide more details.
Tip 3: Make sure your photos clearly show the whole story
Shoot wider shots as well as tighter shots to give a full picture of how accessible a place is. Photos of signs up close are certainly helpful, but a wide shot showing as much of the location as you can will give somebody with accessibility needs a true feel for the spot, ensuring that they feel comfortable going to the place you’re recommending.
Are you somebody who uses accessibility info on Google Maps to make decisions about where to go? Tell everyone in the comments: What can other Local Guides do to help you know if a place is accessible?
I will edit some of my reviews to add the detail again @AnnaDickson . I never cared of railings that are used in the buildings. I thought they are for normal purpose but just noticed they can be helpful for accessibility. Sometimes we remained unnoticed about a thing. I felt it now. A heartiest thanks for sharing this post Anna.
Como trabajo yo este tema en mi pais, es un poco complicado. Si bien, podemos tomar fotografias de los lugares, no tengo acceso a colocar un icono de discapacitados, para colocar en el mapa y puedan elegir sus rutas en veredas y negocios, mas alla de las habituales que ya conocen.Mi idea es que al ver el mapa, tengan mas opciones para desplazarse.
He subido al mapa fotografias de rampas por ejemplo para cruzar una gran avenida, donde se encuentran. Las subo con direccion y coordenadas geograficas. No aparecen en el mapa, pero para mi sorpresa, si, han tenido visitas y mas de las que esperaba. Las opciones de nombre que dispongo es solo discapacidad, aunque cito rampa para discapacitados. Las categorias dispongo de tres, organizacion, proveedor y servicio de transporte. No hay senalaciones publicas en mi pais.
En la reunion I/O 2018, mos muestra mas opciones de avance sobre este tema, que se aplicara, pero creo recordar que solo en un pais.Abarca las personas con alteraciones visuales usando Android, pero no me queda clara la conexion con nuestro mapa o street view, ya que detecta objetos.Creo que un icono, o la ya planteada senal sonora, que desconozco si aun continua, serian un avance en nuestro mapa.
Esta es mi experiencia y las herramientas para trabajar, en pos de llegar a la mayor parte de la comunidad.
Sometimes I come across places that already have a ton of pictures, so my first instinct (being there with a smartphone only) is “don’t bother taking a picture here, as there already are a lot better looking ones”. But then I scroll through the photos and notice that none of those shows any of the accessibility features. The perfect "excuse’ to upload a picture after all
Pero los limita a ver los lugares donde van a ir, pueden abrir 15 locales para encontrar uno apto. Mi idea es que puedan manejarse en el mapa, con un icono de lisiados, se solucionaria, donde hay estacionamiento, la vista global, no solo lugar por lugar.Nosotros vemos el mapa y decimos, voy a ir aqui, porque ellos al ver el mapa con los iconos colocados, digan lo mismo que yo, voy aqui, este restaurante y por aqui es mi ruta, tengo rampas para cruzar la calle. Yo vivo en lo que le llaman el tercer mundo y el acceso a vehiculos para lisiados , es muy caro aqui.