Big tech firms are helping disabled people better navigate the real world
Google Maps and Airbnb both announced new services this week that aim to make life easier for people with mobility challenges.
New ways to navigate: Google Maps hasn’t historically done much to make it easier for wheelchair-reliant people (or stroller-pushing parents). This week, the firm announced that it’s starting to offer an option to show wheelchair-accessible routes that include the use of public transportation. It will initially be offered in a handful of major cities, including New York, Boston, London, and Tokyo.
Better places to stay: In a somewhat similar move, Airbnb also said this week that it added new filters to its service so people are able to search for much more specific kinds of accessibility features than they could previously. Customers will be able to check whether a property has, say, ramps, wide hallways, or roll-in showers.
Why it matters: The announcements suggest that big tech companies appear to be slowly becoming more aware of challenges facing many of their users.
Deep Dive
Policy
What happened to the microfinance organization Kiva?
A group of strikers argue that the organization seems more focused on making money than creating change. Are they right?
How one elite university is approaching ChatGPT this school year
Why Yale never considered banning the technology.
Six ways that AI could change politics
A new era of AI-powered domestic politics may be coming. Watch for these milestones to know when it’s arrived.
Cryptography may offer a solution to the massive AI-labeling problem
An internet protocol called C2PA adds a “nutrition label” to images, video, and audio.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.