Wheelmap

Recently, one of our members was adding venues to Wheelmap.

What Is Wheelmap?

Wheelmap is an online map that helps people find and share information about the accessibility of places around the world.

For wheelchair users and other disabled people, knowing whether a café, restaurant, shop, train station, hotel, public building or other location is accessible can make a big difference when planning a journey.

How Does Wheelmap Work?

Wheelmap allows people to look up places on a map and see information about their accessibility.

Users can also contribute information about places they have visited. This means the map can grow through contributions from the community.

Accessibility information can include whether a location has:

* ♿ Step-free access

* 🚪 Accessible entrances

* 🚻 Accessible toilets

* 🛗 Accessible lifts

* 🅿️ Accessible parking

* 🍽️ Accessible restaurants and cafés

* 🚌 Accessible public transport facilities

The information can help someone decide whether a place may be suitable for their needs before they visit.

Why Is Wheelmap Important?

Accessibility information is often difficult to find.

A business may say that it is “accessible”, but that does not always tell a wheelchair user what they need to know. For example, a building might have a ramp but no accessible toilet, or an entrance might be step-free but the lift may be too small for some wheelchair users.

Wheelmap can help make accessibility information more visible.

The Community Makes a Difference

One of the important ideas behind Wheelmap is community participation.

People can share information about places they have visited and help improve the information available to others.

Disabled people, carers, families, accessibility campaigners and members of the public can all play a part in improving accessibility information.

Wheelmap and Disability Campaigning

For disability campaigners, Wheelmap can also be a useful way of highlighting accessibility issues.

If a location has barriers, documenting accessibility information can help show where improvements may be needed.

Campaigners can use this information to encourage organisations, businesses and public authorities to consider improvements such as:

* Better step-free entrances

* Accessible toilets

* Working lifts

* Accessible parking

* Clear signage

* Better information online

* Hearing loops and other communication support

* More accessible public transport

Accessibility Information Is Powerful

Good accessibility information gives people more choice.

Instead of arriving somewhere and discovering an unexpected barrier, people can research a location beforehand and make their own decisions.

This is particularly important for wheelchair users, but accessibility information can benefit many other people too, including people with mobility impairments, older people, parents with pushchairs and people with other access requirements.

How You Can Help

If you visit a place, consider checking its accessibility information on Wheelmap.

If information is missing or inaccurate, you can contribute where possible.

Small contributions can make a difference because the next person planning a visit may rely on that information.

My Accessibility Campaign Message

Accessibility should be visible, practical and easy to understand.

Wheelmap provides one way for people to share information about the accessibility of places around them.

The more accurate information we have, the easier it becomes for people to plan journeys, visit businesses and participate in their communities.

Accessibility is not just about getting through a door. It is about being able to participate, belong and have equal access to everyday life.

Conclusion

Wheelmap is more than a map of places. It can be a community resource for sharing accessibility information and helping people make informed choices about where they can go.

By checking accessibility, contributing information and encouraging organisations to remove barriers, we can help create communities that are more accessible and inclusive for everyone.