Apps for Good is an organization dedicated to providing tech education to today's youth. At MAMS, we participate in Apps for Good by identifying a community need, coming up with strategies to solve the problem, and implementing a select few into an app or website - the project takes up all of D Term. Working alongside Anthea Sun and Raihan Ahmed, our project, Maps for Good, (get it?) was an insightful learning experience and taught me a lot about thinking on my feet -- I got to practice the frontend skills I had acquired earlier in the year while learning how to code in Java for the first time. Click here to view our Github repository and try out our app!
Navigating public spaces presents significant challenges for individuals with disabilities, particularly when attempting to locate essential amenities such as restrooms, benches, and handicapped parking spaces. While some mapping tools and databases currently exist, they are often limited in scope, lack real-time accuracy, and frequently fail to account for accessibility requirements. The absence of a centralized, user-friendly, and accessibility-focused resource contributes to widespread inconvenience and alienation especially among those with mobility limitations or chronic medical conditions. Maps for Good aims to offer a comprehensive and community-driven platform designed to address these challenges by mapping key accessible amenities in an integrated and reliable manner. Unlike existing tools that concentrate on a single type of facility or provide static, data-heavy interfaces, this platform consolidates information on handicapped-accessible restrooms, public seating, and designated parking spaces into one interactive and intuitive map. Maps for Good encourages community participation through features that allow users validate the accuracy of reported amenities and report on amenity statuses through a series of preset complaints, such as “broken amenity” or “dirty”. By combining centralized accessibility data with community validation, this application aims to reduce stress and uncertainty while promoting equitable use of public infrastructure. The platform aims to take a meaningful step toward creating more inclusive, transparent, and supportive environments for individuals with disabilities.