Worldwide Accessibility Walk [WAW] 2023

Google Maps contribution stories
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Caption: A flyer showing the words International Day of Persons with Disabilities and a One Accessibility Logo

Worldwide Accessibility Walk - WAW 2023

Hello Local Guides, we (One Accessibility Initiative) are glad to announce the Worldwide Accessibility Walk 2023 edition.

The meet-ups are in commemoration of the annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). This is a United Nations observance which is held on 3rd December annually. The theme for 2023 is: “United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities”.

Local Guides and Accessibility Champions all over the world are encouraged to organize a dedicated meet-up (physical or virtual) from 1st to 31st December 2023, in support of persons with disabilities.

Worldwide Accessibility meetup has continued to create global awareness and with the help of the community we can make the world even more accessible, starting from our locality.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

  1. Submit a meetup for the period 1st - 9th December. The format should read : Accessible + City - WAW +Year (E.g. Accessible Paris - WAW 2023 ).

  2. Approval: Let us know when your meet-up is posted on Connect and share the link, in order to enlist it.

  3. Share the meetup information on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media handles to attract participants from your community.

  4. Awareness: Explain to the participants what is expected at the accessibility meetup. Tell them the need for inclusiveness and invite them to become advocates.

  • Kindly notify us as soon as your event is approved to enable us add it to My Map global event list.

FUN FACTS

:black_small_square: Accessible walking routes and Wheelchair accessible information are now available on Google Maps.

:black_small_square: The year 2030 is the target to make the world accessibility compliant. The 2030 Agenda pledges to “leave no one behind”
:black_small_square: More than one billion people live with some form of disability.
:black_small_square: Over 100 million disabled persons are children.
:black_small_square: 170 countries have signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
:black_small_square: Local Guides have added over I billion accessibility information on Google Maps.

:black_small_square: You can now find disabled-owned business on Google Maps.

NOT SURE WHAT TO DO?
Some people may not know what to look out for, so here is what do.

Physical Mee-tup:
:black_small_square: Take your normal photos of buildings, restaurants, foods and nature.
:black_small_square: Then look out for accessibility signs, wheelchair ramps, elevators, escalators, public address systems, Braille on doors/buttons, toilets and other inclusive features.
:black_small_square: Include this information as part of your review with photos/videos on Google Maps.

Virtual Meet-up
:black_small_square: Invite an Accessibility Champion or public official to discuss accessibility and inclusive laws in your city.
:black_small_square: Conduct accessibility quiz, trivia etc
:black_small_square: Discuss past accessibility meet-ups and trends

Other activities:
:black_small_square: Edit your reviews to include if the place has any accessibility provisions
:black_small_square: Answer accessibility questions on Google Maps
:black_small_square: Create a list of the accessible places you visited.

WAW2023 Webinar, scheduled for December 02, 2023. Our guest (s) will share their professional experience with us and answer related questions.

RSVP

Please, do us know when your meet-up is approved on Connect in order to add it to our list.

See some past meet-ups here.

Photos will be collated in the WAW 2023 Album. At the end of December, we would see the cities that are truly accessible. Let’s WAW the world!

Hashtags : Please use these hashtags to help keep the conversation going across social media - #WAW2023 #LocalGuides #OneAccessibility

If you need customized WAW Poster please let us know.

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Caption: Sample of WAW 2023 Meet-up poster.

See Map/List of WAW 2023 meet-ups

Nigeria - | Lagos |

Indonesia - | Jakarta |

India | Mumbai | Chennai | Mumbai 2

Argentina - | Buenos Aires |

LOCAL GUIDES ONE ACCESSIBILITY INITIATIVE

After the 2018 WAW, we formed One Accessibility Initiative to help advocate for accessibility in our various communities. We have over 30 volunteers in five continents, hosted over 100 meet-ups, interviewed top accessibility experts around the world. The One Accessibility team has also hosted monthly webinars and written articles in “Accessibility Uncovered” series for over 130 weeks. Our activities have enlightened many Local Guides to become more inclusive and inspired others to become accessibility champions.

We call on everyone to be an Accessibility Hero! Join our campaign to make the world accessible for everyone everywhere. Let’s leave no one behind.

PERK

Local Guides Team has a challenge as part of the IDPD which will enable you earn a special accessibility badge. Don’t miss the perk.

Thank you!

cc:

@Sashabg

@Kristen_NYC

@Julie_A

@TraciC

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Hey @EmekaUlor You are doing very interesting and beautiful work on this subject. It is a very nice thing to be able to touch people’s lives. Even though I cannot attend this event because there are not many local guides on this subject in my country, it is very enjoyable to watch your work. I wish you success :blush: :+1:t2:

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@Gezendunyali I am really touched by your kind comments. Thank you.

Please, endeavour to attend the webinar or host a meet-up in your city even if it is just you and your friends. This was how I started, so try it and let’s spread the awareness. I am sure when you do, more people/businesses in your area will become more inclusive. I want to add Ankara, Turkey on our list this year. Cheers

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Hello @EmekaUlor I appreciate your initiative very much. I’m eager to join the virtual meetup. Being from India, I’ll reach out to our LG friend here regarding this. Thank you so much for the post.

I would like to tag our friend @TravellerG ,

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@PrasadVR thank you for your kind words and support. Looking forward to seeing you and other India LGs at the webinar. Also, find time to host a meet-up in your city, I will be happy to given tips and guidelines.

I expect my friend @TravellerG to participate as he has done previously. Cheers

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@EmekaUlor , As you said here, yes @TravellerG has lots of experience with meet-ups. Thanks for your helpful suggestion and support. I will be in touch with you.

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Thank you for such a great initiative on Accessibility @EmekaUlor . As always, I fully support it as I do share similar concerns and attention on this particular issue.

By the time we observe the International Day of Persons with Disability this year, I will be in Jakarta! I’ll be more than happy to host Accessible Jakarta WAW 2023 … will get back to you when I get more affirmation from my dearest friends @Velvel @Nyainurjanah @Radjasitanggang @PaDeSSo @Ddimitra @360bymiftah @RivaniRahmadani et all

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Yayyyy!

@indahnuria I am so excited to hear this. Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing the vibrant Jakarta community show us how accessible the city is.

#AccessibleJakarta #WAW2023

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Hola @EmekaUlor que publicación excelente y que meta tan grande y solidaria. Felicitaciones de antemano, puesto que va a ser un éxito. En mi País no se ha podido conformar una comunidad de Local Guides aún, pero te prometo, por lo menos asistir a alguna reunión virtual.

Saludos desde Uruguay :uruguay: :uruguay: :uruguay:

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Hello @CAAG1959 thank you for finding the post and topic interesting. Looking forward to meeting you virtually. And if you decide to host a meet-up in your city, we can support you.

@Jesi

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I like the presentation of this years WAW. Its going to be interesting and I’m certain to participate.
I’m already having a plan in mind. Thanks for sharing @EmekaUlor

Lagos go hear am. :laughing:

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Gracias @EmekaUlor , lo mismo me encantaría conocerlos. Estamos en contacto para organizar alguna actividad.

Saludos desde Uruguay :uruguay: :uruguay: :uruguay:

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Yes! Accessible Lagos na sure bet. Thank you @MrFreez for holding the flag :blush:

@CAAG1959 I am glad to hear this. Thank you for being a helpful guide.

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@EmekaUlor que genial idea, desde Buenos Aires lo saludo.

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Holla @Maximilianozalazar thank you for the compliments. I hope to see you at the webinar and do join Jesi for the Buenos Aires event too. Cheers

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Hi @EmekaUlor

I have submitted a meetup and hopefully its approved. But in case not, See link

I hope to get a few attendees from my community Lagosssssss

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@MrFreez thank you for planning to host an accessibility meet-up. We appreciate your support for the One Accessibility Initiative. Good luck and have fun in Lagos.

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Buenos Aires is officially in!

I just submitted my meetup @EmekaUlor : Accessible Buenos Aires - WAW 2023

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Hi @EmekaUlor … I have submitted the meet-up and Accessible Jakarta - WAW 2023 is COMING :tada:
Check out this POST and hope we will have many LG friends comiiiing, including our LG Guest :heart_eyes: …

Tagging my co-host @doc_dells for this meetup!

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@EmekaUlor

Wow ,nice initiative taken by you.it our duty to mention whether the place is accessible :wheelchair: or not.

I will also try my best to take a meet up of accessibility.

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