Access Earth aggregates, distributes and curates the world’s accessibility information for those living with any form accessibility need. Presently, the Access Earth database can be made use of and contributed to by using the web and mobile application available in the App Store and Google Play Store. Data is currently gathered manually with users, partners and organisations ensuring that accurate accessibility information is updated and clearly portrayed on the Access Earth map. Users can see the rating of a given location - a pub, restaurant, hotel, etc. - and if it has already been rated can use that information to plan their trip. Users may also ‘Agree’ or ‘Disagree’ with such information if they believe it to be out of date or inaccurate. An algorithm is used to ensure that each users opinion contributes to the review but does not override it completely without verified user backings. If a venue is not rated, users may simply answer a series of ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ questions to easily provide that information back to other users of the app. We have over 100,000 places rated worldwide and over 10,000 registered users. The data gathered this way is analysed and leased out to organisations and government bodies so they can better communicate to their respective constituents and make improvements based on the analytics provided. Access Earth provide this information as a dashboard to paying organisations - sports stadiums, large MNCs, local governments, etc. - so they can better accommodate and include the 15% of people in the world living with a disability. Accessibility information is gathered across the world in multiple different ways using multiple different formats.

http://access.earth/

• Western Europe and North America

• People with disabilities
• Refugees and internally displaced people

The ability for all to access and contribute information, ideas and knowledge is essential in an inclusive Information Society. The sharing and strengthening of global knowledge for development can be enhanced by removing barriers to equitable access to information for economic, social, political, health, cultural, educational, and scientific activities and by facilitating access to public domain information, including by universal design and the use of assistive technologies. A rich public domain is an essential element for the growth of the Information Society, creating multiple benefits such as an educated public, new jobs, innovation, business opportunities, and the advancement of sciences. Information in the public domain should be easily accessible to support the Information Society, and protected from misappropriation. Public institutions such as libraries and archives, museums, cultural collections and other community-based access points should be strengthened so as to promote the preservation of documentary records and free and equitable access to information. Access to information and knowledge can be promoted by increasing awareness among all stakeholders of the possibilities offered by different software models, including proprietary, open-source and free software, in order to increase competition, access by users, diversity of choice, and to enable all users to develop solutions which best meet their requirements. Affordable access to software should be considered as an important component of a truly inclusive Information Society. We strive to promote universal access with equal opportunities for all to scientific knowledge and the creation and dissemination of scientific and technical information, including open access initiatives for scientific publishing.