Top 5 Apps for Wheelchair Users
Smartphones are an integral part of our move towards a more inclusive, accessible world with a heap of features that can help people with disabilities access more locations, services and even; each other. Check out our five favourite apps that are making a huge difference to wheelchair users lives and becoming an indispensable tool in their kits.
Wheelmap
Beyond Google Maps which actually has some great accessible features for wheelchair users, Wheelmap has been created to help locate, find and mark accessible places from restaurants to bars and cinemas with a comments section for users to leave feedback and rate their experiences. Really, this should be everywhere but give the world time. You can even upload pictures! Wheelmap is so much more than just an app, with organised events and gatherings held in accessible places for users to connect with other like-minded individuals and letting them swap stories. Wheelmap really is designed to create a better world and experience for everyone and being available in both Android and IOS, it’s free to use no matter what device you have.
WheelMate
The WheelMate app is in a word, lifesaving. Available on Android or iOS in over 35,000 locations across 45 countries with more being added everyday – it’s a lot, we know - it will direct users to their nearest wheelchair accessible toilet and parking spots – which means no more ‘holding it in’ and extended travel times. It’s quick to use giving you an instant overview via an interactive map that’s powered by other wheelchair users who can add and verify the information available around each location. It is also free to use, and its data is becoming an important benchmark to highlight the significantly lower number of disabled parking spaces compared to regular ones and the need to make a change. Get behind the WheelMate movement and download the app today.
iAccess Life
Working in conjunction with Google Maps, iAccess Life is an app that allows users to search for places they are visiting based on the location’s accessibility. From accessible restaurants to hotels, parking and retail, this app will be your go-to for any day-to-day or leisure activity, designed to make your life easier, and more accessible. You can then rate, and review these locations based on parking, seating, entrance access and toilets, getting into the nitty gritty of your experience so other users can have an even better one. Then use their information to improve your own – and so it goes on and on and on. Once you’ve downloaded this app onto your iOS or Android device, you’ll never have to worry about being able to use the toilet or find accessible parking again because you’ll be able to plan ahead and won’t get caught unprepared.
Access Earth
This startup is on a mission to create the world’s largest accessibility database - and they’re well on their way to succeeding. When you join this worldwide community of wheelchair users, you’re signing up to work collectively to make travel more accessible and most importantly; inclusive. It’s a great goal to get behind, and best of all; helpful to you. Each member is not only a collaborator, but a user accessing information to hotels, restaurants, tourist attraction and more, that locals and travelers alike have uploaded. Then it’s your turn to upload your own discoveries in return via the apps mapping and review system. Download Access Earth today on your Android or iOS device and start helping others whilst helping yourself to see more and travel further.
Wheelchair Calorimeter
There are so many apps out there to track calories burnt whilst walking, running, or working out at the gym. But what about one of the most vigorous workouts, pushing yourself in a manual wheelchair? Pushing yourself around is hard work, so is exercising in a wheelchair. Using GPS, the Wheelchair Calorimeter app can track how many calories you have burnt while working out in a manual wheelchair outdoors. Inputting your weight, or uphill climb and distance, this app will inspire more workouts with notifications, helpful tips and more. It’s also super simple to use with a quick setup, has customisable units of measurement and even has editable log keeping. This workout side kick really is a total game-changer and best of all; free to use. Download it today on any iOS or Android device.
There really are so many great apps for wheelchair users with interactive capabilities, easy to use platforms, and life-changing data designed to help you get where you need to go and stay mentally and physically healthy.
