Google Maps now notes if a location is wheelchair accessible

Many people will find themselves asking the quastion “Can I get in the building?” regularly. But for the 3 million+ wheelchair users in the U.S., it’s a question that has to be considered. And starting now, it’s one that Google Maps is trying to help answer.

“Wheelchair accessible entrance” , which is noted in a location’s “Amenities” section wherever Google is made aware of the accessibility.

Accessibility info won’t show for all locations — that data simply doesn’t exist yet. Organizations like Wheelmap have been building up the dataset for a while, but the available data doesn’t blanket major cities, much less the world. Google is turning to local guides (users who contribute location info in exchange for early access to new features) to grow their data set, but it’ll take a while.

The effort is led by Googler Rio Asaka as part of his “20% time” (Google’s policy that has its employees spend one day a week tinkering on side-projects).