Google Adds Wheelchair Accessible Navigation to Google Maps

Google Maps is one of the most popular and reliable mapping/navigation services, but it's not without its faults.

Users just have to look under the "routes" option. Starting today, this feature is rolling out in major metropolitan transit centers around the world, starting with London, New York, Tokyo, Mexico City, Boston, and Sydney. Next, choose "wheelchair accessible" under "options". It has also collaborated with transit agencies in the cities involved to catalogue the most efficient and best accessible routes.

To activate the feature, all you have to do is head to Google Maps (on mobile or desktop) and input directions for public transport like you normally would.

Google said to start this they have first brought Google Maps to the Unity engine to turn real life objects and places into Game objects in Unity, which by going on further they can add textures, depth effect, style and customize it fully to match their gaming project environments. This meant looking at places where there were only step entrances, or where bathrooms were wheelchair-accessible. Google added this feature for disabled people and pointed out that these new routes will be most useful to those in a wheelchair, but users on crutches or those with children in a stroller could also find the feature very handy and can take help.

Google explained in a blog post that much of the data was gathered as part of its Local Guides program. Google Maps is aiming to mitigate this problem with its latest addition to Maps - wheelchair accessible navigation. Unlike many online publications, we don't have a paywall or run banner advertising, because we want to keep our journalism open, without influence or the need to chase traffic.