Planning routes and navigating public transportation presents certain challenges to individuals with disabilities.\u00a0 Many transit maps and schedules are not readily available in accessible formats.\u00a0 Also, many forms of cognitive disabilities can make planning routes and coordinating connections problematic.\u00a0 Therefore, mobile devices can be an excellent solution.<\/p>\n
Google has designed a mobile version of Google Maps, which is available from the web browser of nearly any smart phone.\u00a0 In addition to detailed street maps, Google Maps can also generate directions based on public transportation information.\u00a0Walking directions are also available, though these have proven spotty from anecdotal testing.<\/p>\n
HopStop is a free app for both the Android and iOS platforms.\u00a0 It’s a far more powerful tool for planning your next route.\u00a0 Several options are provided for selecting which forms of transportation you want to use–for example, you may not want to include buses and simply rely on train or subway transit.\u00a0 The walking directions from Hopstop seem to be far more accurate than those of Google Maps even though they are produced from the same data source.\u00a0 One very useful option allows a user to determine how much walking should be included in the route planning.\u00a0 A somewhat more circuitous bus route could dramatically reduce travel on foot.\u00a0 Alternatively, by walking a couple of extra blocks, routes with fewer connections or shorter times can be
\ngenerated.<\/p>\n
HopStop is\u00a0 helpful when changing a trip mid-route.\u00a0 Many routes are presented.\u00a0 Once selected, a route can be saved, changed or reversed for the return trip. Interim stops and re-routing options are very handy if a particular route is experiencing delays or if a stop is unavailable.\u00a0 Especially\u00a0 worth noting are wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly routes.<\/p>\n
HopStop does not provide turn-by-turn spoken directions nor does it track your location within a route. A combination of apps, some for route planning, some for exploring the immediate surroundings and others for real time directions may prove necessary for meeting all of your mobile navigation needs.<\/p>\n
Google Maps is bundled with the Google apps suite, which is available on the Android Marketplace and the iOS App Store.\u00a0 HopStop is similarly available and can also be found at hopstop.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Review by Joel Zimba, MDTAP Special Projects Coordinator<\/em><\/p>\n