By Allanah Sciberras
GOING out for dinner is often all about the food or the vibe. But for the one in five Australians with a disability, choosing a restaurant involves much more.
A new web app, developed at the University of Melbourne, aims to change that.
Freya Elliott, who uses a wheelchair, has to do her own research – not just to find the best food, but also to check whether places are accessible, and how accessible they really are.
Calling a venue in advance is not always enough, according to the 21-year-old.
She has done that. And yet, she has still shown up with friends to celebrate a special occasion, only to be met with roadblocks.
“My friend once called to triple check (if the venue) was accessible. They said they had a ramp … Turns out they (had) a ramp inside,” Ms Elliott said.
“We had multiple wheelchair users. We showed up and there (was) one steep step.”
Ms Elliot and her friends were ultimately able to enjoy their lunch, although it came at a price.
“It really strips your dignity,” she said.
“You just want to be able to go in, have your meal, chat with your friends, and not worry about that sort of thing.”
This is where the new app comes in.
Not-for-profit startup EnAccess Maps was developed by Sabrina Leung. It allows people with disabilities to find and access venues that match their needs.
“I worked in the disability sector and the person I cared for was a foodie but she relied on a wheelchair to navigate.
I’m also a foodie and I realised our experiences were completely different,” Ms Leung told AAP.
“She needed to do a full day of research to find a venue. There are many things to consider. I really wanted to build something that helped her easily find this information.”
At least 700 independent venues have already been mapped by university volunteers across Melbourne.
Impact Advisor Jacob Darkin said the app was backed by a team of volunteers who dedicated their time to rating and mapping venues across the city.
“To know that people in the community just want to volunteer their time to challenge themselves and help … it’s beautiful,” Mr Darkin told AAP.
“We’re really here to solve the problem of knowing how to get to a place, and how that can improve anyone’s problem for access requirements.”
The team has run free trials with five Melbourne councils and hopes to expand into surrounding regions.
