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'Planat' best wheeler app yet?

Apr 29 05:01

Accessibility apps aren’t exactly a new thing, but none, sadly, have yet to really take off. Planat.com, a new user-generated accessibility app (and site), from the Rick Hansen Foundation, might have the best chance yet at becoming that chock-full-of-accurate-info app we’ve been longing for.

Anything produced by the Rick Hansen Foundation - Canada’s premier disability organization - is going to be quality and planat.com doesn’t disappoint. The site is easy to navigate and has an embedded Google map right in the main page, making it easy for visitors to input their exact location.

At the top of the screen, users choose from different types of venues (Restaurants, Accommodations, Retail Stores, etc), rating levels (1 star - 5 stars), accessibility rating (mobility, sight or hearing), and input their zip code and the venue’s name. And yes, since this app was created in Canada, it does lean somewhat on accessibility in Canada, but I’m sure once the site takes off that will certainly change.

And that’s the kicker: It will only get as good all of us want it be by inputting as much accurate information into it as we can. So everytime you visit a place, login to planat.com and write up a review of the venue. It only takes a second, especially if you download the app to your phone.

They’re also running a great contest right now for anyone who submits a review between April 16th and June 30th. The winner will receive airfare to Vancouver (from any Canadian airport), two nights stay in the city (love that town) and an accessible adventure with the 9Lives Adventures.

planat.com is free, and works on the PC, iPad, iPhone and devices using Android 2.2 or above (on the Opera Mobile browser).

Check it out: planat.com

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1. Johan Nilsson | Apr 29 05:19

Looks like a great service. Another service similar to this is www.wheelmap.org. It only targets mobility accessibility, though.

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By Tiffiny Carlson

Tiffiny Carlson Disability buzz, travel, fashion and dating — fun things to amp up everyday wheeling life.

Tiffiny Carlson is freelance writer and writes the “SCI Life” column for New Mobility. She's also a C6 quad from a diving accident that occurred when she was 14 years old. A lifelong resident of Minneapolis, Tiffiny has been a writer in the disability community for over 10 years and writes for several publications and blogs, as well as her personal blog BeautyAbility. Her work has also appeared in mainstream publications such as Nerve.com and Playgirl.