Route Planning App for People with Limited Mobility
A navigation application designed to assist individuals with physical disabilities by providing accessible route information.
Project Overview
This project addresses the inadequacies of existing GPS mapping and navigation applications in catering to users with physical disabilities. While general-purpose applications like Google Maps offer rich features, they often lack critical accessibility information such as the presence and locations of elevators or the slope of pathways. Conversely, solutions targeting accessibility may lack comprehensive navigation features. Our design aims to bridge this gap by focusing on the unique needs and goals of individuals with mobility limitations, ensuring they can plan routes accurately and navigate both outdoor and indoor environments effectively.
Challenges
One of the primary challenges is the absence of essential accessibility information in current navigation tools, making it difficult for users with mobility issues to plan accurate routes. Many existing solutions fail to include critical details required for navigating within buildings, such as elevator locations or pathway slopes. Additionally, while some applications focus on accessibility features at destinations (e.g., ADA compliance), the process of navigating to or within these destinations is largely overlooked. Balancing the integration of comprehensive accessibility features with user-friendly navigation poses a significant design challenge.
Solution
Our proposed solution involves enhancing existing navigation applications by incorporating detailed accessibility information. This includes data on elevator locations, pathway slopes, and other critical features that assist users with mobility limitations. The design leverages familiar interfaces, such as mobile phones and smartwatches, to ensure ease of use. By focusing on usability for individuals requiring accessibility features, the solution aims to provide a seamless navigation experience without necessitating novel hardware or extensive changes to current user habits.
Results
The resulting navigation app significantly improves the ability of individuals with mobility limitations to plan and execute their routes. By addressing the gaps in current navigation applications, the solution empowers users, enhances their independence, and improves their overall experience when navigating various environments.
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