Design Ignites Change - Projects - Equal Access Finder

University of Illinois School of Art + Design

This application is meant to increase the efficiency of mobility for those who need to use public assistive technology, such as ones who are handicapped or have disabilities. It is a locator that will find where community assistive technologies are available and accessible. Through GPS and the map, the user can choose their specific route of mobility faster than just guessing which locations have or do not have equal access. Using the preferences check list, the user can specify which equal accessibilities they are looking for, depending on their specific needs.This includes ramps, revolving doors, bathrooms, bus routes, stairs, and etc.

Cassandra Tu
tu3@illinois.edu

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November 12, 2010

The startup screen appears for a few seconds before it takes you to the GPS screen, automatically asking if the application can locate your location.

If you responded no, it will display the last map that was used in the last use of the application. If you said yes, it will automatically locate you and display Equal Access locations around you.

You can click on individual locations to view its picture. Then the preferences page is just a check list of accessibilities you want to display. The add data buttons will pop up over your display.

If you add data, it allows you to take a picture of it and/or enter its information manually.

You can choose what kind of accessibility it is and then the app will locate it's location using GPS. If it is not correct, you can manually type in the address. Then click "Add Data!" to submit.

This would be a live application, so as new buildings and locations are built, the database needs to update continuously. Therefore, the application allows anyone to add data if they find an accessibility that is not in the database. This way, the application stays as updated as possible.

I would find this application successful if the community who needs daily accessibility find it useful and easy to use. Also, if it improves their daily lives and increases their efficiency in mobility, then this application has successfully done its job.

Equal Access Finder

University of Illinois School of Art + Design

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