CHALLENGE TO GOOGLE OVER ‘DISABLED MAP ROUTE’ OPTION
ACHARITY worker will drive his 8mph wheelchair almost 80 miles to Cardiff because he wants internet giant Google to add a “disabled route” option to its popular maps feature.
Adam Stanton-Wharmby will start his three-day journey from his Cheltenham home on Friday with the aim of arriving at the Principality Stadium on Sunday.
The 34-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, will use his motorised wheelchair to make the journey along national cycle routes to highlight his call for the company to introduce a mapping option that picks out disabled-friendly routes.
He said: “I picked Cardiff because it’s so accessible. I love the place. The country has a different attitude to disabled people – more open.
“Cardiff is amazing and I absolutely love the people.
“People in wheelchairs shouldn’t be sat waiting to go outside. It’s 2017.
“The London Tube app has a disabled route option but Google Maps doesn’t. It means you have to do more background work as a disabled person.
“I want them to open it up to the disabled market. It would help mums with buggies and prams too.”
Adam, who works for the WhizzKidz charity educating disabled children, is also hoping the challenge will raise £12,000 to go towards a new wheelchair he says will change his life.
Because Google Maps does not calculate routes specifically suitable for wheelchair users Adam had to spend two hours planning his 76-mile trip using a satellite view.
Adam said when planning journeys “you don’t know where the pathways are and you don’t know if there are dropped kerbs or anything like that”.
“But I have a wheelchair that is powerful enough and versatile enough to get out places. So why not drive somewhere?”
Speaking about the inspiration for his challenge, he added: “Many people fundraise for lots of reasons and do the traditional stuff.
“But I thought ‘How can I incorporate fundraising for a wheelchair with showing everyone what I can do with a wheelchair?’”
It is not the first daring exploit planned by Adam, who once unsuccessfully asked Top Gear if he could ride his “reasonably priced wheelchair” around their track.
The teacher says he has a “zest for life” and refuses to be restricted by his disability, describing his wheelchair as his “source of independence”.
He has already raised more than £3,000 ahead of his journey and aims to bring the total up to £12,000.
Adam plans to pay the rest of the £20,000 needed for a Dragon Mobility wheelchair with his savings and grants from the Turbo Trust charity.
He will be accompanied on the trip by his carer Leroy Mabonga, brother Dominic and brother-inlaw Sean, all of whom will be on bikes.
A Google spokesman said the firm was always working on ways to improve its maps facility.
He added wheelchair-friendly locations had recently been incorporated and it was now possible for anyone to add accessibility information for places like restaurants and shops, galleries and local points of interest.
“The company is also actively working with Local Guides – a community of users who regularly contribute to maps – to add more wheelchair accessibility information, helping us to continue improving maps for everyone,” the spokesman said.
To support Adam visit www. j ustgiving. com/ f undraising/ Adams-dragonthisisliving