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
Tech policy
The secret police: A private security group regularly sent Minnesota police misinformation about protestors
There are 13 private security guards for every one police officer in downtown Minneapolis, but these groups are far less regulated than police departments.
A million-word novel got censored before it was even shared. Now Chinese users want answers.
After a writer was locked out of her novel for including illegal content, Chinese web users are asking questions about just how far the state’s censorship reaches.
The world’s biggest surveillance company you’ve never heard of
Hikvision could be sanctioned for aiding the Chinese government’s human rights violations in Xinjiang. Here’s everything you need to know.
Why can’t tech fix its gender problem?
A new generation of tech activists, organizers, and whistleblowers, most of whom are female, non-white, gender-diverse, or queer, may finally bring change.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.