AXS Map: Crowdsourced Accessibility Reviews of Businesses

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4Chta29jjXQ" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiABzV_gKQ5m0T2Ap2wyjmPRzyUU6WNd2tIt_C-PDbWOV0_PLKG7rXvu4JPj-rCiqYXI1O9gcIt9I7WYMoZ7Dp4GtFMZKTSVlurNmv9UVM_sWFmkTS9LX0DyQEUitiR9Ayi29NbJ9z2oY/s1600/icon175x175.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiABzV_gKQ5m0T2Ap2wyjmPRzyUU6WNd2tIt_C-PDbWOV0_PLKG7rXvu4JPj-rCiqYXI1O9gcIt9I7WYMoZ7Dp4GtFMZKTSVlurNmv9UVM_sWFmkTS9LX0DyQEUitiR9Ayi29NbJ9z2oY/s200/icon175x175.png" width="75" /></a>AXS Map is an app available for iOS and Android that allows users to rank the accessibility of local businesses. Using the location of the device users can search for nearby businesses and rank the accessibility of the location in very basic terms. More detailed accessibility information and information for people with a wider range of disabilities would improve the app.<br /><br />While accessibility standards established by the government are exact and technical, AXS Map uses a star rating system. For example, a businesses that is easily accessible to people with disabilities would earn a five star ranking. The app also allows users to rank a business based on the noise level, which can be helpful for people with hearing impairments, and by light which can be helpful for people with visual impairments.<br /><br />I was recently involved in a "Mapathon" were a group of people used the app to map parts of the city. This experience helped me understand the value of the app, as some businesses had serious accessibility issues such as numerous steps with no ramps.<br /><br />The data that is inputted through the app or the website can then be viewed by people interested in the accessibility of a business. For example, a person with a physical disability could check the app to make sure that a coffee shop had a ramp.<br /><br />If the AXS Map platform becomes popular it could even prompt businesses with poor rating to make improvements.<br /><br />While the concept behind AXS Map is good, the implementation is a little rough. The app is not intuitive to use and can be frustrating. However, it does work once you get familiar with the interface. The app also requires users to enter their email which could steer some users away.<br /><br />To use AXS Map visit <a href="http://axsmap.com/">AXSMap.com</a> or download the app for iOS and Android. <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDgQFjAF&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Faxs-map-v2%2Fid554015666%3Fmt%3D8&ei=Ev2PVYuzDserggS78YCAAg&usg=AFQjCNFZrY1ZjcqEmGxnh9ihHWc_T0Mh9A&sig2=FzUfV6ccjOrojIMHHhpNtA&bvm=bv.96783405,d.eXY">Click here</a> to download the app for iOS and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CD8QFjAG&url=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fapps%2Fdetails%3Fid%3Dcom.axslab.axsmap%26hl%3Den&ei=Ev2PVYuzDserggS78YCAAg&usg=AFQjCNFP6uHYfu5nXlWhRVJ3YeOMFH-QgA&sig2=zPGZN_pO48DYA3-3p8DqFg&bvm=bv.96783405,d.eXY">click here</a> to download the app for Android.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii

Redbox to Make Some Kiosks Accessible to the Blind

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.redbox.com/image/mediacenter/rb-large-logo11-2011c" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="166" src="http://www.redbox.com/image/mediacenter/rb-large-logo11-2011c" title="Redbox logo" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Popular video rental service Redbox agreed in a settlement to make 4,000 of their 35,900 kiosks located in California accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. The service, which is commonly found in supermarkets and other public areas, is inaccessible to blind or visually impaired users. As part of the agreement, Redbox agreed to add headphone jacks, <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/11/claropdf-app-pdf-text-to-speech-and.html">text-to-speech</a> output, and tactile keyboards to kiosks. The roll-out of accessible video rental boxes will be gradual and is planed to take longer than two years. In the interim, Redbox has also agreed to provide phone support to help blind customers navigate the rental process. It is not clear if Redbox plans to add more DVDs with audio descriptions to benefit its new larger customer base of visually impaired users, but such a plan would seem to make sense. The settlement deal will inevitably increase Redbox's potential customer base by providing access to more people with disabilities. Unfortunately, the settlement seems to only cover a small fraction of Redbox kiosk in California. Hopefully, other kiosk companies will make their services accessible as well.</div>

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii