Related News
German's app gives freedom to wheelchair users
Source: Agencies |
February 23, 2011, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
RAUL Krauthausen, who has used a wheelchair since childhood, has always been uncomfortable with the services Germany provides for the physically handicapped, such as special taxis and grocery delivery - saying they feel patronizing and further isolate him from the able-bodied world.
So Krauthausen took matters into his own hands and launched wheelmap.org, an iPhone application and website in German and English that allows users to share ratings and tips on how accessible shops, bars and other places are.
"Sometimes I feel I'm treated like a child who isn't allowed to decide specific things by myself," said the 30-year-old who suffers from a genetic disorder that makes his bones brittle. "I want to remain flexible and not be dependent on when a driving service has time to pick me up."
It turned out he wasn't the only one who felt that way. With some 300 new user-ratings daily, wheelmap.org now has details on 30,000 locations. Around 80 percent of tagged spots are in Germany, but site ratings for cities including London and New York are slowly growing, Krauthausen said.
"Wheelmap.org wants to help show people with mobility impairments everything that's achievable," he said.
Krauthausen attributes Wheelmap's success to its availability as an iPhone application and the "Wiki principle" - the idea that anyone, anywhere can contribute. Users rate locations without registering, but must log in to add specific comments.
Ingo Stoecker, a tester for the app, said he hopes the site will encourage often reclusive handicapped urbanites to navigate areas they see as potentially perilous. Some 4.5 million of Germany's 82 million people are physically handicapped.
"Most or many wheelchair users are rather introverted - they'd rather not go out," said Stoecker, who suffers from a birth defect resulting in incomplete spinal development.
"I think if they knew of such an app, they would maybe get out more."
Beyond helping the handicapped, Krauthausen said he hopes his app will persuade more businesses to make their stores barrier-free, something Germany legally requires, but in reality is often not implemented.
"Often it's simply a matter of one or two steps preventing you from getting in. For that, there's a cheap solution," he said.
To finance wheelmap.org, Krauthausen has relied on both private donations and a governmental stipend.
So Krauthausen took matters into his own hands and launched wheelmap.org, an iPhone application and website in German and English that allows users to share ratings and tips on how accessible shops, bars and other places are.
"Sometimes I feel I'm treated like a child who isn't allowed to decide specific things by myself," said the 30-year-old who suffers from a genetic disorder that makes his bones brittle. "I want to remain flexible and not be dependent on when a driving service has time to pick me up."
It turned out he wasn't the only one who felt that way. With some 300 new user-ratings daily, wheelmap.org now has details on 30,000 locations. Around 80 percent of tagged spots are in Germany, but site ratings for cities including London and New York are slowly growing, Krauthausen said.
"Wheelmap.org wants to help show people with mobility impairments everything that's achievable," he said.
Krauthausen attributes Wheelmap's success to its availability as an iPhone application and the "Wiki principle" - the idea that anyone, anywhere can contribute. Users rate locations without registering, but must log in to add specific comments.
Ingo Stoecker, a tester for the app, said he hopes the site will encourage often reclusive handicapped urbanites to navigate areas they see as potentially perilous. Some 4.5 million of Germany's 82 million people are physically handicapped.
"Most or many wheelchair users are rather introverted - they'd rather not go out," said Stoecker, who suffers from a birth defect resulting in incomplete spinal development.
"I think if they knew of such an app, they would maybe get out more."
Beyond helping the handicapped, Krauthausen said he hopes his app will persuade more businesses to make their stores barrier-free, something Germany legally requires, but in reality is often not implemented.
"Often it's simply a matter of one or two steps preventing you from getting in. For that, there's a cheap solution," he said.
To finance wheelmap.org, Krauthausen has relied on both private donations and a governmental stipend.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
