Case Study

Building the “Yelp of Accessibility” with Google for Startups Alum iAccess Life

Introduction

As society becomes more conscious of inclusion and accessibility, businesses have to adapt to ensure their services cater to all consumers' needs, including those with disabilities. To address this pressing issue, iAccess Life approached Metaseed with a visionary concept: a location-based mobile app for both iOS and Android platforms, akin to Yelp, designed exclusively for the disability community, their family, friends, and accessibility advocates. The idea was to establish a safe, reliable platform where users could leave ratings and reviews based on their experiences with accessibility at public establishments such as restaurants, bars, hotels, and retail stores.

Metaseed Labs, renowned for its innovative solutions and user-centered design approach, was thrilled to bring this concept to life. Recognizing the transformative potential of the project, Metaseed saw an opportunity to not only meet a pressing societal need but also to break new ground in the world of mobile applications. They took on the challenge with one fundamental goal in mind: to build a native mobile app that would empower the disability community by providing them with a voice and promoting a culture of inclusion. This case study delves into Metaseed's approach to turning iAccess Life's dream into a reality, detailing the strategy, process, and the profound impact the app has had on the accessibility community.

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Building the “Yelp of Accessibility” with Google for Startups Alum iAccess Life

The Challenge

The challenge of building the iAccess Life mobile app was multilayered. We had to create a scalable and user-friendly platform capable of accumulating and providing accurate location and accessibility information for diverse locations worldwide. This required an intuitive interface that users with varying abilities could navigate easily, along with the robust backend architecture to manage substantial data inflow and ensure real-time, seamless updates. Moreover, it was essential to implement user-driven content creation features, allowing users to contribute their firsthand experiences with accessibility, fostering a sense of community. Integrating all these elements within the constraints of mobile hardware and operating systems, ensuring swift load times and optimal power usage, was a complex task. Lastly, due to the highly contextual nature of the data, personalization and user categorization throughout the on-boarding process was necessary, and this additional context had to be devised without compromising on the user experience or the speed and efficiency of the app.

How we solved the problem

The Solution

The development of the iAccess Life mobile application was deeply rooted in the integration of various tools and technological solutions, creating an efficient, user-friendly environment for the evaluation and review of accessibility. Paramount among these was our use of the Google Places product, which facilitated the seamless acquisition of precise location data. This feature ensured that our users could accurately rate and review the accessibility of a wide variety of locations in real-time. Furthermore, to optimize user onboarding, we implemented a social login feature. With this feature, new users could effortlessly create accounts using their existing social media profiles, providing a frictionless entry point into the iAccess community.

An additional vital aspect of the solution was our dedication to developing an intuitive user interface. This commitment was evident in how we constructed our search functions, location information display, and feedback forms. Each interface element was designed with a deep understanding of user behavior, making it easy for users to find locations, get detailed information about them, and leave feedback. Moreover, we recognized the typical challenges associated with crowd-sourced applications and addressed them by introducing gamification through the brand ambassador program. This innovative approach not only incentivized usage, thereby increasing engagement, but also bolstered data collection by encouraging users to rate and review more places. This dynamic solution has allowed the iAccess Life mobile app to offer a comprehensive, user-driven platform for accessibility evaluation and reviews.

Client testimonial