Anjika Jain, Liem Swanson, Jinsong Park
After the activity we did in class, where we searched up M36 in Google Maps and found inaccurate accessibility information listed, we were inspired to design an application that would allow anyone to find and share accurate and helpful information about the accessibility and inaccessibility of fun hangout and date spots around Ann Arbor. Due to the resources and time we had on hand we created a mockup of this application through Figma. Below, we will discuss different parts of the application and our reasonings behind specific design choices.
Background Research
First we conducted research to see how current information on public area’s accessibilities were being spread. There weren’t any other applications we found that were similar to our idea. There were two options using google maps, or reaching out to the location/business on your own. Reaching out to a business or a location every time you would like to do something is not feasible and can bring additional stress and anxiety. As we did in the activity in class Google Maps is also an unreliable resource, showing accessibility signs when in reality it does not exist. On the Google Maps Help website we also found users asking, “how is the accessibility record is created and who creates it, referring to the blue wheelchair”(2024). While the Live View feature in Google Maps does improve it’s capabilities to give insights into locations, it is still lacking in many ways. There is no ability to see inside locations, and gain a firm understanding of the accessibility needs they may cover. To combat this issue we have design a completely separate application.
*Since each picture of the mockup is extremely detailed, there will be a link to alt text under each picture with more detailed explanations of each feature*
Landing Page
The landing page of the application allows users to familiarize themselves with the setup and options that EaseSpot offers for users. The main three options – Find a Spot!, Share a Spot!, and EaseCommunity – all revolve around users being able to learn and share information about the inaccessibility of spots they visit. We added the Accessibility Settings tab hoping that users would be able customize their site experience to be as personally accessible as possible by having the option to adjust important accessibility settings such as color contrast and font size. (With our default color scheme, we hoped that the site would already have good color contrast, but still know it won’t be ideal for everyone.) The Help tab would allow users to find answers to any questions about EaseSpot in a timely manner from an EaseSpot team member. Because we want to ensure the application is genuinely helpful for disabled people – and not a dongle – we envisioned that the Feedback tab would allow users to offer feedback (anonymous or with their name included). An EaseSpot team member would reach out to the person in a timely manner if they wanted to discuss the feedback further and if the feedback was included in the website, the user would be credited if they wanted to be.
The bottom of the page also explains the main features of the web app: personalized web accessibility filters, community reviews, and smart accessibility insights. While we were able to showcase the first two features that last one was a hypothetical for if the app was to be actually developed.
If the application were ever to be created it would be interesting to see how we could use AI as a resource. To start AI would be a good resource to alert moderators to new information in the community forum or alert if someone requests information on a space that may not already be in the database. If AI were to become more accurate over the next few years it could also be a great tool to maintain the database. If new information was shared it could parse through it taking important details and adding them to the existing tag of that location.
Find A Spot Page
Here is the first feature of our application where users can search for a spot. Our application is designed to assess accessibility of locations across four key dimensions: wheelchair accessibility, visual accessibility, sensory accessibility, and inclusivity of policies. This structured approach provides a comprehensive evaluation, addressing the varied needs of individuals with disabilities while promoting to create more inclusive spaces.
Wheelchair accessibility ensures that users can identify establishments equipped with features such as ramps, wide entrances, accessible restrooms, and seating arrangements that accommodate wheelchair users. Visual accessibility evaluates critical elements such as high-contrast signage, large-print menus, and appropriate lighting to support individuals with visual impairments. Sensory accessibility focuses on factors that make the environment suitable for individuals with sensory sensitivities, including controlled noise levels, adjustable lighting, and the presence of sensory-friendly areas. For a detailed description of the mockup please visit our alt text page!
The assessment of inclusivity in policies is particularly significant. It examines whether restaurant owners and staff demonstrate a commitment to creating an equitable environment for all patrons, free from ableism. This includes ensuring staff are trained to meet the needs of disabled customers and fostering a culture of acceptance and respect. By incorporating these key dimensions, the application empowers users to make well-informed decisions based on their specific needs and encourages restaurants to adopt practices that prioritize accessibility and inclusivity.
Find a Spot Page Continued
The second page mirrors the layout of the first but incorporates the components selected via the checkboxes. Using the settings tool, users can specify their accessibility requirements by checking the relevant boxes, and the system dynamically filters and displays suitable restaurants based on their selections. This feature is essential for individuals seeking detailed information about the specific accessibility accommodations offered by each restaurant. In this image we have clicked a few options such as “Overall wheelchair accessibility,” and “no flashing lights”. According to the options chosen there will be options shown that fall under those categories.
Alt Text for Find A Spot Page Checked
EaseCommunity
We designed EaseCommunity knowing that our ability to observe and document places would be very limited and th
hoping that we also wanted users to have the opportunity to share their own experiences at a place even if it wasn’t already a part of our database (Our Find a Spot! and EaseCommunity sections will later be highlighted). In reality, we would love that this application be ever growing as more people use it and share their experiences the app would grow with more resources and users.
This is our EaseCommunity page which serves as a resource for individuals to post and read other people’s reviews of different locations, with a focus on accessibility and inclusivity. This page provides first hand experiences of several individuals, and gives more personalized accessibility information. It also would allow for the site to gain valuable information that could be added to a location’s profile, and serves as a good source of data for the database. It also allows for users to navigate the community with confidence, as they can feel a sense of support and collaboration within their communities. The reviews offer star rating, and descriptions providing practical information for users looking for spaces that align with their needs. We also added filters allow for users to see spaces near them, to create a more tailored experience, making it easier to plan accessible outings. For detailed information on this page visit our alt text!
Specific Spot Information
Next are two examples of what would happen if you clicked on a specific spot on the find a spot page, or looked for a specific location within the application. We have broken down the page by asking users what accessibility needs they are focused on, and then giving an accessibility rating and enjoyment rating for the overall location.
Alt Text for Find A Spot – The Arb
Alt Text for Find A Spot – Pinball Pete’s
Reasoning for Overall Design
There were a variety of design measures we considered to make the design itself accessible. First when creating the filters we did our best to research and use class-content to consider all the accessibility needs a person may have while being in a public space.
We also created user-friendly filters, on the left-hand panel, allowing users to select their accessibility features and showing high contrast once they have done so. The filters are clearly labeled and easy to toggle with, and there is ample spacing to prevent mis-clicks
We also employed a clear visually intuitive layout, ensuring users can easily navigate through the different sections of the application. Through highlighting the different sections of our application in different colors on the headers and created a light background color contrast throughout the application we hope this will create a visibly accessible application.
We also showed that when a location is clicked upon there is an accessibility summary that provides detailed information a user would need. We were inspired by the access observation in class, and essentially each location would have it’s own access observation. To ensure that our mock-up was authentic we also reached out to classmates for their access observations.
The app also encourages users to contribute reviews about their experiences with accessibility. The community driven feature would over time enhance the application as it brings in diverse perspectives, making the app inclusive over time.
Next Steps & Future Aspirations
As we were developing this mockup there were many features we wished we had the time and resources to add. If we had an unlimited amount of time, resources, and developers we would have loved to conduct group surveys with people of different disabilities to better gauge our rating system and how different accessibility needs make be different for each person. For example, one of our filters was a noise level system from 1-10. A disturbing noise could be different for some one who has ADHD vs someone who has autism. Doing these studies and making sure that disabled individuals are apart of the design of the application would be imperative for us so we don’t end up with a disability dongle. In addition, finding more ways to offer more options but also keep the web page clean would be something we would love to research. While we know that one application can not serve everyone, if we were to develop this app we would do our best to reach the largest audience we could, and always continue taking in feedback from the community we are serving.
Citations
Access Observations:
Pinball Pete’s – Atlas Etienne
Nichols Arboretum – Liem Swanson
Swanson, Liem. “Trail from Respite Camp to Camp Wawbeek.” PhotoCircle, 2024, Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
Tapara, Eve. “Dells Boat Tour.” PhotoCircle, 2024, Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
“Ann Arbor, MI.” Pancheros Mexican Grill, 2 Oct. 2023, pancheros.com/location/ann-arbor-university/.
“Ann Arbor Restaurant.” HopCat, www.hopcat.com/ann-arbor/home. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
“Ann Arbor.” Jerusalem Garden, 16 Nov. 2024, jerusalemgarden.net/.
Ashley’s, www.ashleys.com/newsite/#!/. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
“Frita Batidos.” Frita Batidos RSS, fritabatidos.com/ann-arbor/. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
“https://www.potbelly.com/locations/michigan/ann-arbor-u-m”
“Sava’s: Restaurant: Ann Arbor, MI.” Sava, www.savasannarbor.com/. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
“Rich JC Korean Restaurant – Ann Arbor, MI.” Yelp, www.yelp.com/biz/rich-jc-korean-restaurant-ann-arbor-2. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
Slurping Turtle—Ann Arbor, slurpingturtle.com/annarbor/SlurpingTurtleAnnArbor.swf?cache=1474808123000. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
“Thai Food Google Maps Community, Google, support.google.com/maps/thread/273249534/accessibility-records-not-reliable?hl=en. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
“Tomukun.” Tomukun Restaurant | Korean BBQ | Noodle Bar, www.tomukun.com/. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024. “Gourmet Tacos: Taq – Taqueria Restaurant & Bar.” TAQ, www.taqrestaurants.com/. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024. Restaurant: Ann Arbor and East Lansing.” No Thai!, 16 Dec. 2022, nothai.com/.
