This needs all the help with marketing it can get! Tag4Access, an accessibility initiative founded by 16-year-old Prisha Popli, is now available on the App Store and Google Play — a community-driven app she hopes will inspire Canadians to become accessibility advocates.
The app features an interactive map in which users can create tags and write about the accessibility barriers or features of a given area. These tags are then reviewed by volunteer accessibility leaders for verification, but also for identifying gaps to create community-led solutions with local accessibility groups.
A photo of Tag4Access interactive map (courtesy of Prisha Popli)
Popli said the app was born when her grandfather, who uses a walking stick and occasionally a wheelchair, was visiting Nova Scotia.
“When he was here in Nova Scotia visiting, we were trying to figure out whether certain places that we were taking him had certain accessibility features, like for example an accessible washroom,” she explained. “Even after checking Google and reviews, we still couldn’t get a clear answer.”
She said she noticed how hard it is to find accessible spaces around the city and took her idea to community members and advocate groups.
“I did reach out to local MLAs to ask them concerns that they’ve heard about accessibility and to pitch them the idea of Tag for Access to get their feedback,” Popli said. “Also a former member of the Nova Scotia Accessibility Advisory Board to see what she has to say about the idea and if there’s any potential improvement.”
She also launched a survey which received 1,200 responses from community members to see what types of accessibility barriers they have encountered. This community input proved the demand for a platform like Tag4Access.
Now that the app is up and running, Popli hopes more people will contribute tags so that there is an increase in accessibility information available around Canada. As she looks to the future, she sees Tag4Access changing the accessibility landscape for the better.
“In the long term, maybe a year from now, I want to make sure that everyday citizens are serving kind of as accessibility advocates to make sure that our cities are truly open for everyone,” she explained. “Maybe even having funding applications in progress with certain spaces in regards to accessibility improvements.”
Accessibility tags on the app (courtesy of Prisha Popli)
Anyone interested in volunteering with Tag4Access can reach out to tagforaccess@gmail.com. The app is available on Google Play and the App Store.
AppStore download:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tag4access-accessibility-map/id6775016946
Google Play Download:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tag4access.app