Google has launched a wheelchair accessibility option on its Google Maps to provide information about places where people can use their wheelchairs or strollers.

The Internet company has expanded the use of Google Maps by including wheelchair accessibility option in the application. The latest feature was developed by Rio Akasaka. The product manager of Google Drive said that this Google Maps addition would help people avoid the hassle of using stairs. 

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All users are encouraged to help improve the Local Guides by providing answers to questions about places they have visited. These answers will be displayed as a reference for disabled individuals. Users will also be informed about other details like store opening hours and dining options of areas where wheelchair access is available.

However, this feature is only available in the United States for now, and some information is still missing since the database depends on the contribution of users.

Over three million people in the country use wheelchairs thus applications like Wheelmap are very helpful in their everyday life. In fact, disabled people are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which mandates new establishments to provide wheelchair access. However, buildings that were constructed before the law was passed in 1993 have less strict rules with regards to the issue. This Google service is expected to help senior citizens and those with pushcarts.

The Google wheelchair accessibility option is part of the company's 20 percent policy. In the 2004 IPO letter of the company, it was stated that employees are encouraged "to spend 20 percent of their time working on what they think will most benefit Google" other than their regular projects. Some projects that have branched out from the policy include Google News, Gmail, and Adsense.