Liverpool ONE is set to become the UK’s first retail destination to unveil two new schemes to improve accessibility for all visitors.
With roughly 58,000 households in Liverpool City Region having at least one disabled member, which represents almost 40% of all households across the area, the new tools – Sociability and Waymap – aim to support visitors both ahead of their visit and once they are at Liverpool ONE.
Sociability helps disabled people find accessible places. On this initial pilot the majority of stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues at Liverpool ONE have been visited to assess their accessibility features and create an online accessibility directory of the venues.
The online accessibility directory provides useful and reliable information, including information on toilets and access to stores, allowing visitors to filter results based on their specific needs, such as seating availability and accessible toilet provisions.
Matt Pierri, founder and CEO at Sociability, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Liverpool ONE to make it easier than ever for disabled people to find accessible places to eat, shop and socialise. Sociability takes away the stress and anxiety of planning an accessible day out – helping more disabled people to enjoy all that Liverpool ONE has to offer, and to spend more time with the people they love, in the places they want to visit.”
Launching alongside Sociability will be Waymap, which is the first navigation app of its kind to work indoors, outdoors and even deep underground, without GPS. With step-by-step guidance and a level of accuracy that ensures that all users – including those with visual impairments – are able to confidently navigate any venue, Waymap will empower users to explore Liverpool ONE with independence.
Built primarily for blind and partially sighted people by a team which includes members of the visually impaired community, the application also includes a step-free access option, to additionally assist visitors with reduced mobility.
Dr Tom Pey, CEO and founder of Waymap, who is also blind, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be working alongside Liverpool ONE, helping to ensure that all visitors, especially those with visual impairments, can navigate Liverpool ONE independently and confidently.”
Visitors are encouraged to download the Sociability and Waymap apps before their next visit to Liverpool ONE to experience the new features firsthand.
Donna Howitt, place strategy director at Liverpool ONE, said: “We are on a journey working with partners, experts and visitors with accessibility needs, to make Liverpool ONE and the city centre as welcoming as possible.
“Liverpool ONE is a destination that has something for everyone, and we are committed to supporting our local communities and everyone having the best possible experience while they visit. The pilot with Sociability and Waymap is making significant steps forward to achieve this goal.
“We are encouraging feedback back from visitors on their experience using these new tools and together continue to enhance visitor welcome.”
