To make daily tasks easier and faster for users, Google has updated Maps, Search, and Chrome with new accessibility features.
Google Maps and Search now have a new identification characteristic for the disability community that gives consumers more information about a company and gives businesses the choice to self-identify as a member of the community.
Eve Andersson, senior director, Products for All at Google, stated, “This update builds on our existing business attributes, including Asian-owned, Black-owned, Latino-owned, LGBTQ+ owned, veteran-owned, and women-owned.”
Using artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality, Lens in Maps (previously known as Search with Live View) enables users to utilize their phone’s camera to find new locations and get their bearings in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
In order to improve accessibility and utility for those with low vision or blindness, Lens in Maps will soon support screen readers on iOS devices starting this Tuesday and Android devices later in the year.
“You can obtain stair-free routes when you request walking directions in Maps,” explained Andersson. “The option to request wheelchair-accessible pathways is rolling out worldwide on iOS and Android wherever we have data available.”
This function expands upon Maps’ wheelchair-accessible transit navigation feature, which displays step-free transport routes.
