Community-driven, map-based accessibility crowdsourcing
Apps Analyzed
Roll Mobility
Users value peer-to-peer validation over business-owner claims, the visual 'at-a-glance' map interface (red/green pins), and the sense of contributing to a collective mission for the disabled community.
Nuanced Crowdsourcing for Non-Binary Accessibility
Target: Diligent reviewers who fear providing inaccurate data
User Frustration
highThe current approach forces binary 'Yes/No' answers for complex accessibility features, leading to 'reviewer guilt' or abandoned reviews when a user isn't 100% sure.
"I think there should be an 'I don’t know' option that doesn’t affect the location’s score. To me, an able bodied person, a threshold doesn’t normally grab my attention unless I actively trip over it. I don’t want to say there are no issues with the threshold if I don’t remember."
Solution
Introduce 'I don't know' and 'N/A' toggles for every question, and allow for 'Partial' ratings (e.g., 'Accessible entrance but no accessible bathroom').
Why it wins: It prioritizes data integrity over simple binary scoring, preventing 'false positives' that could strand a wheelchair user.
User-Generated Map Expansion for Rural/Small Towns
Target: Users outside of major metropolitan hubs
User Frustration
highThe app relies on pre-populated business lists (likely via Google API) which are often missing locations in rural areas, and users are blocked from manually adding new pins.
"Doesn’t work in rural areas. There is no way to add locations to the map and many businesses in small towns don’t show up. Probably very useful in large cities but not for the rest of us"
Solution
A 'Drop a Pin' feature that allows users to manually name and categorize a location that doesn't yet exist on the map.
Why it wins: It shifts from a 'Review existing businesses' model to a 'Map the world' model, empowering users in data deserts.
Privacy-First Accessibility Planning
Target: Privacy-conscious users and long-distance trip planners
User Frustration
mediumThe app mandates real-time location sharing and excessive photo library permissions just to browse or change a profile picture, which alienates users who want to plan ahead without being tracked.
"Even if what I want to do is prospectively plan a trip and review locations in advance, my location sharing must be active to get into the app. To me this is a significant limitation."
Solution
Enable a 'Guest/Planning Mode' that allows map browsing by city name without GPS, and implement 'Limited Photo Access' for profile/review uploads.
Why it wins: It decouples 'contributing' (which needs location) from 'consuming' (which doesn't), making it a tool for travel planning rather than just real-time reporting.
Cross-Disability Navigation (Beyond Wheelchairs)
Target: Users with EDS, service dogs, or sensory/respiratory sensitivities
User Frustration
mediumThe approach is heavily optimized for wheelchair dimensions, ignoring the needs of those who can walk but can't do stairs, or those who need specific air quality/staff behavior info.
"I have EDS and use forarm crutches along with not being able to use stairs most days. Your app along with the answers I believe would help everyone navigate with their abilities."
Solution
Add specific tags for 'Service Dog Friendly,' 'Seating Available,' 'Air Quality/Masking,' and 'Staff Training/Ableism' ratings.
Why it wins: It expands the definition of 'accessibility' from architectural barriers to environmental and social barriers.