German iPhone App Guides Handicapped Around Cities
By Lane, Mary; Associated Press,Publication Date: February 22, 2011
Article features an iPhone application and website that allows users to share ratings on the wheelchair accessibility of public places such as shops and restaurants. Wheelmap.org, an app and website published in English and German, is based on the “Wiki principle,” the idea that anyone can contribute. Users rate locations without registering but must log in to add specific comments. On the iPhone app, locations are tagged as either green, yellow, or red, indicating totally, partially, and not at all accessible. Launched in Germany by a wheelchair user, Wheelmap is financed by private donations as well as a governmental stipend. At the time the article was published, Wheelmap.org was offering details on 30,000 locations, adding some 300 new user ratings daily. About 80 percent of tagged spots are in Germany, but site ratings for cities such as London and New York reportedly are growing.
Published by: Associated Press (Website:http://www.ap.org)
Link to text: http://www.denverpost.com/technology/ci_17450481
