Google Maps is fast becoming my must have tool for independence. Being both visual impaired and wheelchair bound, I always have additional considerations when planning a route to go anywhere.
Google Maps not only helps me plan my trip in advance, gets me out of trouble if things go wrong. It is not just the route planner, it is also street view – which allows me to figure out which I need to go to find a drop curb or the safest crossing.
Google Maps – My Safety Net
I cannot see all that well. My spacial awareness is pretty poor and from what I understand, these are very common problems for many with Cerebral Palsy and associated neuro conditions. If I am going somewhere unfamiliar or via different route – I often became nervous at the prospect.
Having Google Maps on my phone as often put me at ease. Even if I cannot see the map clearly, audio instructions can be fed through my earphones. This means that half the time – people do not even know that I am using Maps.
Street View
Recently, one of Google’s new objectives that includes sending men to Mars and building robots – also includes mapping the world. Through direct teams and freelance contributors – Google hopes to map the entire world.
Providing panoramic images of streets and places across the world. These images are integrated into Maps, the reason I love this feature is I can use Maps to form a plan of attack.
Want to avoid cobbles? No problem.
Want to go the flat way round? Cool.
Also if you want to be really strategic, you can even plan a route that takes important stops like accessible loos.
Integration
Maps also boasts a bunch of integration with other apps that I love. The one that I am loving most at the moment is booking Uber through Google Maps for journey that I’ve just entered.
