We map accessibilities!

ICT4Society
Sep 4, 2018 · 3 min read

ICT4Society which is a movement promotes social inclusion of people with disabilities using OpenStreetMap. Our movement to promote accessibility to the social inclusion of people with disabilities and to improve the awareness of†accessibility of public facilities for persons with disabilities at national and international level. The mission of movement is to collect accessibility data and create an accessible map for the community.

What are our activities?

  • Mapping Parties- We come together with young people to map accessible point of interests (POIs) show accessible locations such as hospitals, schools, public transport, sports centres and restaurants using open source software and to increase the social accessibility and mobility of the citizens with disabilities. OpenStreetMap is used to create the Rimini Accessibility Map. You may visit the accessibility map to click the link below. This map shows the accessibility of Point of interests in Rimini.
After #ICT4Society collected wheelchair accessibility data in Rimini, Italy.
  • Mapillary Workshop- Getting ready with our bikes and mounts. Keep riding our bikes and collecting street-level imageries for Mapillary.
Our participants were ready to capture the street level imageries of Izmir, Turkey
  • Disability Rights and Statistics Report- Reading reports, articles and academic papers about accessibility and difficulties of people with disabilities to develop solutions with using ICT tools and training the citizens.

Why do we map wheelchair accessibilities?

According to the WHO, around 10 per cent of the world’s children and young people, some 200 million, have sensory, intellectual or mental health impairments. Estimates suggest that there is between 180 and 220 million youth with disabilities worldwide and nearly 80% of them live in developing countries.

In the EU, people with disabilities are the largest social minority — with approximately 80 million Europeans having a form of disability, meaning one in six people in the EU today lives with a disability.

Despite this, people with disabilities are one of the most excluded groups in Europe, facing immense difficulties with mobility and access to education, healthcare and other services. They often face prejudice and/or negative attitudes which hinder their participation and inclusion in society. Equity and social inclusion are one of the most critical vital challenges which Europe will be facing in the period from 2014 to 2021. Europe needs more inclusive societies which allow citizens to play an active role in the society.

Accessibility is as problematic as discrimination, and it has earned a rightful place among the projects of international organisations. Accessibility which means access to the social and cultural environment as well as the natural environment and also, utilisation of the services plays an essential role in the use of every right. Public, even individual living spaces are designed for the majority of the society because of this, disabled citizens often cannot exercise their right of access. Most of the world public buildings and transportation infrastructure are not suitable for disabled citizens to access. Because of the unsuitable vehicles and systems, many disabled citizens do not search for jobs or go to the hospitals. The Council of Europe’s Disability Action Plan 2006–2015 is “Improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in Europe” is a resolution that drives the fight against discrimination, opportunity inequality and it aims to support the full participation of the disabled citizens in the political processes by European Council ministerial committee.

ICT4Society Team

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