A novel mobiles android application for facilitating wheelchair users access to public buildings in urban environments

Abstract

In recent years, societies and governments worldwide have increasingly focused on addressing the rights and needs of individuals with various disabilities. Concurrently, smartphone applications (apps) have gained widespread popularity across diverse age groups. Today, there is an app available for nearly every aspect of daily life, from weather forecasts to online education and banking. Many of these apps are designed to assist people with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs. Most apps related to wheelchair accessible buildings around the world provide only basic features like finding buildings, rating their accessibility features, and filtering search results. Even more, they usually don’t support Arabic language which may be a challenge for the users in Arabic countries. To fill this gap, we introduce WellPathJo, as an Android application with both Arabic and English interfaces that is designed to help users identify accessible public buildings in major cities. In fact, we present a complete suite of features, no other similar app offers like the ability to add new buildings, exchange experiences between users, and even provide a chatbot to response to queries. WellPathJo includes four key accessibility features: ramps, elevators, restrooms, and parking spaces. The app caters to three user types: admins, building owners, and wheelchair users. Admins oversee the overall system, building owners update information for specific buildings, and wheelchair users can use the app to find public buildings, learn about their accessibility features, and provide feedback through ratings and comments. To assess the app’s effectiveness, a survey was conducted after a one-month trial period with a group of potential users. The responses have shown general satisfaction. The chatbot was rated positively by 75%, and 80% were satisfied with community interactions. 70% felt confident using the emergency button feature. Navigation and the Arabic version of the app also received positive feedback from 85%. On the other hand, 75% rated the chatbot interface favorably, and 85% found search results accurate. Additionally, 78% felt comfortable using the app for extended periods. In conclusion, WellPathJo was well received. Looking ahead, future enhancements will incorporate artificial intelligence, support additional languages, add new accessibility features, complement new cities, and include an iOS version, among other plans.

Introduction

The number of people with different types of disabilities around the world has noticeably increased according to World Health Organization (WHO)¹. In fact, 1.3 billion people, 16% of the world population, are estimated to have significant disabilities affecting their lives¹. Moreover, there are generally four main categories of disabilities which are physical, behavioral, developmental, and sensory². Physical disability is a substantial and long-term limitation affecting a person’s mobility, physical functioning, stamina or agility³. Different kinds of physical disabilities may require the use of wheelchairs for mobility and referred to as mobility impairments¹. These disabilities may be orthopedic (relating to the bone and muscles) or they may be neuromuscular (relating to the nerves and muscles)⁴.

According to Cambridge dictionary, wheelchair access is a method by which someone can enter or leave a place in a wheelchair⁵. In order to provide this accessibility, many countries’ legal regulations require the owners to provide their buildings with ramps with appropriate slopes, accessible parking and drop-off points, elevators and lifts, and adapted restrooms^6,7. Figure 1, for example, shows a ramp that has been added to an old building entrance to make wheelchair accessible.

Fig. 1.

Adding a ramp to an old building to make it wheelchair accessible⁸.

During the last few decades, many cities around the world have doubled their population multiple times⁹. However, their related urban growth has been marked by substantial planning challenges, including inadequate public infrastructure and poor accessibility for individuals with disabilities​¹⁰. In fact, access barriers in many public buildings can create significant challenges for wheelchair users, impeding their ability to perform daily activities normally¹¹. For example, even the simplest tasks like shopping or getting a haircut can cause a struggle for wheelchair users if the buildings involved are inaccessible. As a result, they will need to get help from other people (busy relatives or expensive paid help) to accomplish these tasks. Even more, having inaccessible public buildings may prevent very qualified candidates from deserved opportunities in the fields of education or work, especially in third world countries. Consequently, this situation could convert a wide sector of the working force in any community from being an effective economic lever into a financial burden. Moreover, this can negatively affect the wheelchair user’s self-esteem and lead to a feeling of being socially excluded. Excluding wheelchair users due to the inaccessibility of buildings can have a destructive effect on their mental health which may reflect negatively on their families and society in general. In fact, one survey has revealed that many wheelchair users have experienced frustration and difficulty accessing essential services and participating in community activities due to these barriers​¹².

Nowadays, smartphones have become very popular among people from different age ranges all around the world¹³. In fact, this popularity comes from the ability to use these gadgets to connect people together in different ways and to accomplish all types of daily life tasks benefiting from their accompanying applications (apps). One can install different apps to cover a wide range of services^14–16. For example, apps may be used to check weather forecasts, video call family and friends, pay bills, attend online meetings and lectures, buy and pay for all types of goods, and many more^17,18.

Recently, many apps have tried to have a societal impact in the areas of health, education, or special needs¹⁹., for example, presented a complete package of tools to help Alzheimer patients manage their daily life tasks efficiently in Arabic countries. Educational apps, on the other hand, may cover different sides of this wide area of interest. These apps may vary from providing a revolutionary cooperative drawing tool for engineering students²⁰, to keeping track of students’ attendance during lectures in an automated time saving way²¹, or even to providing colleague students with a comprehensive assistant app during the covid19 pandemic²². Even more, apps can cover young ages through providing virtual reality educational games like in²³, or tracking children locations like in²⁴. Finally, special needs apps can be very useful in making their users’ lives easier. In²⁵, voice commands can be used to help the arm disabled control computer devices by their own. Moreover, different apps were introduced in multiple languages to help autistic children merge in society and learn in an interactive way^26,27. Even more²⁸, showed how an app can help visually impaired users during daily life activities. In the same contest, the work in^29,30 presented an app which helps the children with Apraxia in Arab countries communicate effectively with other people.

Summary of prior proposals, our methodology, and major contributions

In the same contest, several apps were presented as helping tools for people using wheelchairs. Some of these apps were dedicated to find accessible buildings in big cities. The features related to such apps usually include searching for buildings, checking their accessibility features, rating these features, and writing reviews. However, most of these apps have many shortages and limitations. In general, most apps have limited support to different languages, especially Arabic. This may prevent possible users in Arabic countries from using these apps efficiently. Moreover, none of these apps offers a complete suite of services. In fact, they usually lack essential features like providing interactive chatbots, allowing users to share experiences, or enabling them to suggest adding new buildings and locations. This could create a real gap in this area of research.

Motivated by that, we present WellPathJo as an Android application that aims to revolutionize the process of finding wheelchair accessible buildings in a big city. The presented app is designed to provide a comprehensive suite of features designed to meet the needs of individuals with mobility impairments. To do that, our methodology of work consisted of multiple steps. First, we have studied similar apps in depth to evaluate them and find any possible shortages. After that, we visited several specialized centers to meet wheelchair users and ask them about their preferences regarding the features to be included in the proposed app. Following that, we have selected the software tools and programming languages to be used in building WellPathJo. The next step was to design the database fields and the app’s interfaces based on the selected requirements. After that, we built the system and tested its functionality. Finally, we have practically tested WellPathJo by allowing a group of potential users to use it for one month then fill an evaluation survey. It is noteworthy that an early iteration of this application was presented in³¹, where some features were highlighted, offering a preliminary demonstration of its capabilities.

As mentioned earlier, WellPathJo tries to provide a suite of useful services to the users and to present new features to this category of apps. In general, the app’s major contributions include the following:

• It supports both Arabic and English languages to serve both local citizens in Arabic cities and other cities around the world

• The users will be able to suggest adding new public buildings.

• The app offers both numerical and color-coded rating systems for the accessibility features.

• Users can exchange information with each other through a community forum.

• Users can get notifications about new added buildings.

• Users can send queries to an interactive chatbot and get useful responses.

Wheelchair accessibility features in buildings are essential to ensure that people with mobility impairments can navigate independently, comfortably, and safely within these sites³². Incorporating these features ensures that public buildings provide equal opportunities and experiences for all people including the ones with mobility impairments. The list of wheelchair accessibility features that should be integrated into buildings can be extended to cover many categories. Some features, like ramps and elevators, are essential, while others, such as pathway markings, are less commonly implemented³³. In our work, we have studied many apps in this area of research and compared the accessibility features included in each of them. Moreover, we have included our personal observations regarding the applied accessibility features in public buildings in Amman, Jordan. As a result, we designed WellPathJo to include four key accessibility features, which we believe are the most important for public buildings, with the option to add more in the future. The first feature is ramps with a 1:12 slope ratio, and the surface should be non-slip³². The second feature is elevators, which should be spacious enough to accommodate a wheelchair user, typically measuring at least 5 feet by 5 feet³³. Elevator buttons should also be reachable from a seated position. The third feature is accessible restrooms, which should allow sufficient space for wheelchair users to maneuver, provide grab bars, and include lower sinks and mirrors³³. Finally, the last adopted feature is accessible parking spots, which should be located near building entrances and clearly marked with the international wheelchair symbol³². These spaces should also be wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair³².

The article’s remaining part is articulated as follows: Sect. “Related work” reviews research work in the area of using technology to help wheelchair users then presents three similar apps to WellPathJo and compares them with our work based on their features. Following that, Sect. “Software tools and system design” lists the software tools and programming languages used in building the app along with reviewing the system design in general. After that, Sect. “Implementation and run scenario” previews the app’s main interfaces and implementation through a run scenario. Next, Sect. “Survey results”evaluates WellPathJo by showing the outcomes of a survey filled by a group of potential users. Finally, Sect. “Conclusions and future work”concludes this work.

Related work

Technology in serving wheelchair users

There are 132 million wheelchair users around the world³². Accordingly, many studies were directed to use new technologies to help wheelchair users make their lives easier. The work in³⁴, for example, has discussed 26 articles that have been published between 2012 and 2023 using multiple academic databases like ACM, IEEE, Scopus, Springer, and Wiley. This work focuses on the contributions of technologies for mapping accessible routes and posture analysis models. In addition, the article studies the use of machine learning to improve the life of wheelchair users.

On the other hand³⁵, presents an interestingly intelligent model that is used to help disabled people manage their lives in smart cities. The proposed system distinguishes itself from the related works which do not cover broad areas and are usually proposed to support one type of disability. In fact, this system covers wide regions and supports various disabilities including limitation of lower limb movements³⁵. Another noteworthy study introduces TrailCare, a location-aware model that enhances accessibility for wheelchair users through a computational system³⁶. This model offers resources for accessibility in both indoor and outdoor settings, with a seamless and automatic transition between the two environments. The authors have developed a prototype of a smart wheelchair that utilizes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and mobile solutions.

Lastly, the intelligent system known as Hefestos aims to incorporate ubiquitous computing concepts to manage accessibility resources for individuals with disabilities³⁷. The article proposes an ontology for accessibility and outlines practical scenarios for its application in the daily lives of disabled individuals. Furthermore, it describes the implementation of a smart wheelchair prototype along with a corresponding application.

Closely related apps

In a narrower scope, we have also examined several apps focused on public building accessibility for wheelchair users in urban environments. While many of these apps shared similar designs and features, we have highlighted a select few in this study. In this section, we will review three top-rated applications that closely resemble our work, one of which is specifically dedicated to Jordan. We will begin by providing a general description of each app, followed by a comparison of these three apps with WellPathJo based on their features.

AccessibleJordan

AccessibleJordan is a mobile application designed to assist individuals with different disabilities in locating accessible establishments across Jordan. The app presents a searchable database containing a variety of accessible locations, including restaurants, cafes, hotels, and tourist attractions as shown in Fig. 2³⁸. However, the absence of color-coded locations can pose real challenges for users who rely on visual signs. Furthermore, the app which was designed mainly to serve people in Jordan doesn’t support Arabic language in its interfaces and screens which limits the base of its potential users³⁸.

Fig. 2.

AccessibleJordan screen³⁸.

iAccess Life

iAccess Life is a mobile app dedicated to enhancing accessibility and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities, as shown in Fig. 3³⁹. It provides location-based accessibility information for locations like restaurants and hotels, along with detailed ratings and reviews covering features like ramps and restroom. On the other hand, one notable drawback in this app is the absence of color-coded locations which makes it difficult for users who depend on visual signs to benefit from it. Moreover, users can’t exchange information and personal experiences with each other.

Fig. 3.

iAccess Life screen³⁹.

Roll mobility

Roll Mobility is a mobile application that provides information on the accessibility of restaurants, public spaces, businesses, trails, and parking spaces for people who use wheelchairs or have mobility issues, as shown in Fig. 4⁴⁰. The app is community-driven and relies on user reviews to provide accurate data. At Roll Mobility, you can access and share comprehensive details about essential features such as wheelchair ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms⁴⁰. While the app serves as a valuable tool for accessing information on the accessibility of various locations, its reliance on user-generated content may cause significant limitations. This dependence introduces the risk of incomplete, inaccurate, or inconsistently reported data, undermining the app’s reliability and usefulness. Furthermore, the disparity in user engagement across different regions may result in uneven coverage and accessibility information gaps.

Fig. 4.

Roll Mobility screen⁴⁰.

Table 1 provides a comprehensive comparison between WellPathJo and the three previously mentioned apps. This comparison covers a range of services and features that are recognized as valuable additions to this category of apps. After analyzing multiple apps in this domain, we compiled a list of common features and services typically offered in this field of research. These features were then incorporated to compare other apps with our own work. Moreover, we have considered in our comparison the importance of supporting Arabic language as we are essentially targeting the users in Arabic countries, in addition to the rest of the world. Moreover, including the Chabot feature was related to the current direction of automation and adopting AI in most platforms around the world. In summary, the comparison criteria used in Table 1 were based on the most important services identified through our research process.

Table 1.

Features comparison between WellPathJo and similar apps.

Feature	WellPathJo	AccessibleJordan	Roll mobility	iAccess life
Supporting Arabic language	✔	✖	✖	✖
Writing reviews and rating buildings	✔	✔	✔	✔
Searching for buildings	✔	✔	✔	✔
Filtering results	✔	✔	✔	✔
Adding new buildings	✔	✔	✔	✖
Showing accessibility features for buildings	✔	✔	✖	✖
Adding images to of buildings by users	✔	✖	✔	✖
Having color-coded rating system	✔	✖	✔	✖
Sending notifications	✔	✔	✖	✖
Providing a dark mode for visually impaired users	✔	✖	✖	✖
Having a report system	✔	✖	✖	✖
Supporting voice commands	✔	✖	✖	✖
Supporting Chatbot	✔	✖	✖	✖
Providing a community engagement forum	✔	✖	✖	✖
Supporting emergency calls	✔	✖	✖	✖
Adding building owners accounts	✔	✖	✖	✖

As we can conclude from the table, each of the presented apps offers many useful features. While all the four apps have a few common features like writing reviews, rating buildings, searching, and filtering results, they may differ in others. One of the most important options included only in WellPathJo is supporting an Arabic interface in addition to the English one. This feature was added to help Arabic users who can’t handle other languages. On the other hand, the ability to add new buildings can allow the app to grow and cover new city areas which makes it more dependable. However, iAcess Life doesn’t support this feature, unlike the others. On the other hand, the ability of showing the available accessibility features in each building is a useful addition that was only presented by WellPathJo and AccessibleJordan. Allowing the users to add pictures of public buildings and their accessibility features could help other users to get familiar with the entrances and make the navigation process easier. Moreover, the feature of giving each rating range a distinguished color can help the users easily grasp the general level of accessibility in a building, compared to the numerical rating. The two previously mentioned features can be found in Roll Mobility, in addition to our work. Additionally, the ability of receiving notifications can help many users updating their information as supported by Accessible Jordan and WellPathJo.

As mentioned earlier, WellPathJo presents a few useful features which can’t be found in any of the other three apps. As far as we know, no other app in this area of research presents all the upcoming services and features combined. In fact, this wide range of services makes WellPathJo stand out with its uniqueness. The dark mode feature, for example, allows wheelchair users who suffer from vision problems to use the app efficiently. In the same contest, the voice command feature could be helpful for the users who can’t move their hands well. On the other hand, the reporting system allows the users to inform the app admins about buildings with poor accessibility features. One of the major contributions in our work is the chatbot that allows the users to get useful responses to different queries like finding the best route to any location. The community forum can help users exchange their experiences and help each other. Next, the emergency call button provides a quick way for users to contact their emergency contacts. Lastly, incorporating building owners as a user type enables them to update and improve the information displayed about their properties, as will be discussed further.

Software tools and system design

This section provides an in-depth overview of our proposed app, WellPathJo. The first subsection offers a general summary of the software tools and programming languages utilized in the development of our system, along with an explanation for the selection of each. The second subsection delivers a detailed description of the design of WellPathJo. It begins with a general system design diagram that outlines the roles of the three user types. Then, we will present the specifics of each user type individually. Following this, a flow diagram will illustrate the process for rating the accessibility features for a building. Finally, another flow diagram will be employed to demonstrate how the integrated chatbot responds to users’ queries.

Software tools

In order to build WellPathJo, we have used a number of software tools and programming languages that are well known for both efficiency and sustainability. First, we have adopted Android Studio (Android 15 SDK) as our integrated development environments (IDE)⁴¹. Android Studio is considered as the official IDE for Google’s Android operating system^42–44. It was built by JetBrains’ IntelliJ IDEA and was basically designed for Android applications’ development⁴⁵. In fact, it was considered the optimum solution for several reasons. Firstly, it is fully optimized and maintained for Android development⁴⁶. Secondly, it has a built-in emulator which allows testing the compatibility of apps on many device configurations and multiple operating systems⁴². Thirdly, it provides flexibility by supporting both Kotlin (the preferred language for Android development) and Java⁴⁴. Moreover, Android studio provides a complete suite of tools like Android SDK, Gradle, UI Designer, and Layout Editor which allows building user interfaces smoothly⁴³. Even more, the feature of the Instant Run can speed up the development process by enabling the developer to instantly see the changes in the app without having to rebuild it again⁴³. Finally, it integrates perfectly with Firebase which helps with features like real-time databases, authentication, analytics, crash reporting, etc.⁴⁴. Overall, Android Studio is a very powerful tool which has enabled us to develop our app quickly and easily with the ability of future expansion to other operating systems.

On the other hand, we have selected Firebase (version 13.22.0) in order to build our backend services⁴⁷. Firebase can provide any Android application with the necessary security services^48,49. It provides a cloud-based backend service which reduces the developers’ need to build and maintain the backend infrastructure from scratch⁴⁷. This can help small teams like ours to create their apps fast. On the other hand, a chat and collaborative app like WellPathJo may need regular updates. Hence, Firebase’s Realtime Database allowed us to store and sync data in real-time across all connected clients⁴⁸. Actually, we have used Cloud Firestore as our NoSQL database and Firebase Storage for Its features like real-time syncing, offline support, and scalable performance. It is often preferred because of its flexibility and ability to handle more data efficiently⁵⁰. The Cloud Firestore is a flexible, scalable database for mobile, web, and server development⁵¹. With a suite of services at our disposal, Cloud Firestore served as our primary database solution⁵². Within our project, Cloud Firestore acted as the central hub for storing diverse datasets⁵³. Using Cloud Firestore ensured efficient data organization, easy accessibility, and scalability to accommodate our application’s demands⁵². Even more, we have relied on Firebase Authentication for its robust user authentication capabilities and secured access to our application’s features and data⁵⁴. It also supports a wide variety of authentication methods⁵⁵. Moreover, it integrates seamlessly with other Firebase services, which was convenient for us.

On the other hand, Flutter (version 3.19.4) is a free and open-source Google framework which can be used to create apps for different devices (tablets, pcs, phones, and others) from a single codebase⁵⁶. Moreover, it allows writing a single codebase that runs on iOS, Android, Web, and Desktop (Windows, macOS, and Linux)^57–59. Also, its hot reload feature has allowed us to instantly see the changes made to our code without the need to rebuild the entire app⁵⁷. As a result of all of that, we have naturally used Flutter to build WellPathJo’s primary user interface (UI). Additionally, we have adopted Dart (version 3.4.0–11.0.dev) as the primary programming language in our work⁶⁰. That is because it’ is the basic programming language for the Flutter framework and is used to build scalable mobile applications^61,62. It is also compiled with native ARM code for mobile apps. This means that Dart apps run with high performance like other apps written in Java or Swift⁶³. Even more, Dart adopts the Just-in-Time (JIT) compilation, which makes the app more responsive during debugging and testing⁶¹. This may enable quick code updates without restarting the app. Finally, it supports type inference, which allows safe coding without the need for excessive boilerplate⁶². This can help catch errors early, making it easier to maintain large codebases. In conclusion, this combination of tools has allowed us to create a high-performance, cross-platform application with real-time updates and rich user experience.

System design

Figure 5 presents an overview of WellPathJo. As illustrated in the figure, a potential user can install the app on an Android smartphone then sign up for an account. After that, the active account allows the user to retrieve or update personal information stored in the system’s firebase database according to the respective account assigned duties or privileges. In fact, WellPathJo offers three user types, each of them comes with distinct duties or privileges. The first user type is the admin. Its major duties include managing the system in general, updating the database, adding new buildings, updating existing buildings’ information pages, and creating building owner accounts if required. Interestingly, the admin manages all the listed buildings in the database by default. However, if a specific building’s managers or owners want to take control of its information page, they can contact the admin via email or phone and submit legal documents to verify their ownership of it. Once the ownership is verified, the admin will be able to create a new building owner user account. This user type will grant the owners general control over their building allowing them to manage its information page, to update the accessibility features information, and to upload images or maps related to it. In fact, allowing owners to voluntarily manage their building’s information pages can help ensure that WellPathJo provides accurate accessibility information for buildings across the city. Naturally, all buildings without a dedicated owner account will remain under the admin’s control.

Fig. 5.

WellPathJo system design.

The third user type is the wheelchair user, who can use the app to find accessible buildings in a specific city. Anyone can create an account by filling out a registration form and activating it. Once registered, this account type has multiple privileges, such as searching for public buildings, viewing accessibility features, rating accessibility features, sending queries to the chatbot, and exchanging experiences with other users.

One of our Cloud Firestore database collections is titled “Average Rating” which is designed to aggregate user-submitted ratings for buildings, as shown in Fig. 6. This category calculates and stores the final average rating derived from different wheelchair users’ inputs. The resulting average rating serves as a metric for implementing a color-coded system, facilitating intuitive visualization and comparison of building ratings.

Fig. 6.

Average rating collection with the documents represent different buildings.

On the other hand, Fig. 7 shows a detailed description of WellPathJo’s admin main interface in addition to the privileges and duties dedicated to this user type. One of the most essential tasks given to the admin is to create new categories and subcategories then fill them with different public buildings’ details for a specific city. Having categories can help the users find any building faster by searching inside its expected category. The included categories may include hospitals, universities, malls, and many more. The admin has also the privilege to add, edit, or delete buildings. Moreover, the type of users can respond to the new buildings’ additions sent by other users through approving, editing or declining them. The admin also can edit and control the posts published on the public community forum to prevent any harmful posts.

Fig. 7.

The admin’s main interface options.

Additionally, the search option allows the admin to look for a specific building by simply printing its name or through voice commands. Even more, the filter option can be used to find a building with specific requirements based on the category and the desired accessibility features. A chatbot option has been also included in the app to respond to different queries regarding the selected city. Finally, the report screen is only accessible by WellPathJo admins. It presents a dataset containing all the buildings marked as inaccessible, along with user reports regarding them. In fact, the admin can voluntarily take an additional step and have a guidance role by trying to contact the managers of inaccessible buildings, alerting them about their wheelchair accessibility shortages, and even suggest modifications based on the users reports.

In addition to the mentioned privileges, the admin’s side bar contains several additional options like logging out, making an emergency call, selecting between Arabic an English interfaces, selecting favorite buildings, changing passwords, creating a new owner account, changing the city, editing personal account information, and to use the screen reader accessibility. In fact, all these features will be shown in detail through a virtual run scenario we will preview later.

On the other hand, the building owner’s main interface options are shown in Fig. 8. Some of the included options are like the admin’s same name options. These common options include searching, filtering, and chatbot options. However, the categories management option is limited to navigating through existing categories without any editing privileges. On the other hand, these types of users can access all the selected city buildings’ information pages but could edit its related buildings only. The owner can update the accessibility details for the related building, add pictures for its facilities, and even upload maps if available. Even more, this user can suggest adding a new place or building to the app without being able to manage it. However, this addition will require an admin’s approval. The building owner will be able to write posts and respond to other users posts through the community forum. On the other hand, the building owner side bar options are similar to the ones included in the admins except the ability to create new owner accounts.

Fig. 8.

Building owner main interface options.

The third user type is the wheelchair user whose main interface options can be seen in Fig. 9. The common features that are like the other two user types are search, filter, add new place, and chatbot. Regarding the categories and buildings management, this user can navigate through categories, browse different buildings’ information pages, and add images or delete the previously uploaded ones to any building’s page. However, this user is distinguished by the availability of rating buildings’ accessibility features or giving feedback on them. Like the building owner user, the wheelchair user can suggest adding a new place which has to be approved first by the admin. In addition, the wheelchair user can use the community engagement forum to exchange experiences with others. Finally, the sidebar options are like the building owner side bar options.

Fig. 9.

Wheelchair user main interface options.

Each building information page shows four accessibility attributes that wheelchair users can rate. As illustrated in Fig. 10, any wheelchair user can navigate to a specific building’s information page and evaluate each of the four accessibility features based on their personal experiences. When a user rates a feature, the average rating for that feature is recalculated to incorporate the new value. Subsequently, the overall average rating for the building, which is derived from the averages of the four features, is also updated based on these new calculations.

Fig. 10.

Rating accessibility features flowchart.

Additionally, the overall average rating is represented using a color-coded system that indicates the building’s overall accessibility level through a colored badge. If the overall average rating is 4.5 out of 5 or higher, the building receives a green badge, signifying that it is fully wheelchair accessible and suitable for use by wheelchair users. Conversely, an overall average rating between 3 and 4.5 will result in an orange badge, indicating that the building is partially accessible, meaning wheelchair users may encounter some limitations and challenges when accessing it. Finally, if the overall average rating falls below 3, the building is assigned a red badge, indicating that it is inaccessible, and wheelchair users will not be able to enter independently.

It is important to note that any newly added building without ratings will initially display a gray badge, signifying that it has not yet been rated. As users begin to provide ratings for new buildings, the color code will change in accordance with the updated overall average rating.

The chatbot is a valuable feature available to all WellPathJo users. This tool enables users to submit inquiries regarding a building’s accessibility or transportation options in a specific city and receive helpful information in return. The matching process is detailed in the flowchart presented in Fig. 11. Initially, when a user asks a question, the chatbot compares it to existing questions stored in the system to find an exact match. The database contains a wide range of questions that address the most anticipated inquiries. If an exact match is found, the chatbot provides the corresponding answer.

Fig. 11.

Chatbot flowchart.

If no match is found in the first round, a second round of matching is initiated. This process involves comparing the letters of any unmatched words in the user’s inquiry question with the words from the stored questions that share the highest number of similar terms with the inquiry sentence, allowing for potential misspellings. If a match is identified during this round, the user will receive the relevant answer. If no match is found in either round, the chatbot will respond with a general message stating,"I don’t know the answer to this question.

Implementation and run scenario

In this section, we will try to present the major services and options included in WellPathJo by running a demonstrative scenario covering the three types of users as the flow diagram in Fig. 12shows. We will begin by introducing a hypothetical wheelchair user who creates a new account and utilizes the app’s features to enhance her daily life. Next, we will showcase an admin account to illustrate the duties associated with this user type. Finally, we will highlight the specific duties performed by the third user type, the building owner. We have to mention here that we will present our scenario figures using both Arabic and English interfaces in order to help the readers of this text understand the content of them. In our scenario, Rawan is a wheelchair user who has been accepted as a freshman in the School of Engineering at the University of Jordan (UoJ), Amman, Jordan. However, it would be a challenge for her to transfer between classes in a big campus that contains 25 faculties and more than 50,000 students⁶⁴. As a result, she has to plan her first semester schedule taking in mind the accessibility of the lectures’ locations. This can be done by checking the availability of ramps on entrances, elevators between floors, convenient restrooms, and close parking spots. In order to gather this vital information, Rawan created a personal account on WellPathJo, as shown in Fig. 13.a (13.b Arabic). After completing the registration process, which includes verifying her email address, Rawan gains access to the application. Having an account for each user is a requirement in our app. The reason for that is the need to store and document each user’s activities while using the app especially the accessibility features ratings, page comments, images uploads. and forum posts.

Fig. 12.

Run scenario flow diagram.

Fig. 13.

Signing up process.

Once logged in for the first time, the user will be asked to select a city to navigate through. As Fig. 14.a (14.b Arabic) shows, Rawan has to select the country first then the city. Naturally, she selected Jordan then Amman. As a result, all the search, rating, chat screens will be dedicated to the selected city. The screen in Fig. 14 will not appear again for Rawan when she logs on to the app. However, she can simply change the city at any time through the side bar. Upon selecting another city like Madrid, all the screens and the chatbot will be related to it.

Fig. 14.

Selecting a city.

After selecting the desired city, Rawan found herself on the main page which has all the options explained in Fig. 9 earlier. After clicking the categories button, she saw all of the main categories as displayed in Fig. 15.a (15.d Arabic). As we can notice, the main categories screen shows the major sectors of buildings including education, government departments, banks, and others. Rawan can simply select universities to move to another page which contains the names of the universities located in the city of Amman and manually search for UoJ by scrolling through the screen. However, Rawan decides to use the search option instead of navigating through categories in order to find UoJ as shown in Fig. 15.b (15.e Arabic). In fact, WellPathJo has the anticipating feature which means that when Rawan starts typing the letters “University” or “الجامعة”, all the universities listed in WellPathJo will appear in the search bar. This can help Rawan find the required building faster and easier. In response to searching for the University of Jordan, Fig. 15.c (15.f Arabic) appears. Next, UoJ page will have all its faculties and units. As we can notice, the School of Engineering is green coded which means that building is wheelchair accessible based on users’ ratings.

Fig. 15.

Main categories interface and searching process.

Upon entering the School of Engineering page, Rawan will be able to learn about the accessibility features included in the building. Firstly, Rawan can read a detailed description about the building facilities regarding wheelchair users in addition to its contact information as shown in Fig. 16.a (16.d Arabic). Secondly, she can review the building map if available to pinpoint the locations of various accessibility features as shown in Fig. 16.b (16.e. Arabic). Thirdly and most importantly, Rawan can find the numbers of ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms, and parking spots in the building. Moreover, she can see the rating average of every accessibility feature as Fig. 16.c (16.f Arabic) shows. As we can notice, UoJ School of Engineering has 2 parking spots, 11 ramps, 1 elevator, and 12 accessible restrooms. The rating of each feature is shown in stars with five stars is the highest rate and one star is the lowest. The general rating average for all the features is 4.875 which will lead to the green code that is shown in the figure. Rawan will be also able to read different reviews written by other users about the building accessibility in order to get a better evaluation about it.

Fig. 16.

Reviewing a building accessibility information.

Rawan has attended the School of Engineering benefiting from the information gained by using WellPathJo. After spending several weeks inside the building, she was able to share her own experience with other users by rating the accessibility features and writing her personal impressions in Arabic or English. Figure 17.a (17.b Arabic) shows how a user can write a personal review and rate each one of the accessibility features.

Fig. 17.

Writing reviews and ratings accessibility features.

After some time, Rawan encountered a situation where she needed to visit the Deanship of Student Affairs. Unsure about the accessibility of the route, she decided to ask for others’ help through the community engagement forum. As a result, Rawan writes a post asking about an accessible path and entrance to the target building as shown in Fig. 18.a (18.b Arabic). The post can include Arabic or English text in addition to uploaded images or videos if needed. After a while, another user of the app responded to the post and gave Rawan the needed directions as shown in the figure.

Fig. 18.

Submitting a post to the community forum and getting a reply.

On the other hand, Rawan needs to renew her passport. In order to find an accessible location, she uses the filter option as shown in Fig. 19.a (19.b Arabic). The filtering process was done by selecting the government department’s main category to search inside it and checking the ramps, elevators, and restrooms accessibility features only. The reason for that is because Rawan will use public transportation and won’t need accessible parking spots. As a result, the filtering process will lead to listing all public buildings with the three earlier mentioned features. All Rawan needs now is to find the nearest accessible Civil Status and Passports Department to her. Moreover, she will be able to enter the selected department’s information page and take a deeper look at its accessibility features, making sure they meet all her demands. Moreover, the filtering option can be an alternative to the normal search when you don’t have the exact name for the building or the institute you are looking for.

Fig. 19.

Filtering categories based on selected features.

Accordingly, Rawan decides to head to the Civil Status and Passports Department located at Tabarbour, Amman. However, unsure of the best transportation option to use inside the city, she turns to the chatbot option in WellPathJo looking for guidance. As we can see in Fig. 20.a (20.b Arabic). Rawan writes a question asking about accessible transportation to use. The chatbot responds to the question by providing a comprehensive list of wheelchair-accessible transportation options which are available in the city. As we can notice from the figure, the user can write a query either in Arabic or English and the chatbot will respond using the same language of the question.

Fig. 20.

Chatbot query and response.

A wheelchair user like Rawan will be able to benefit from many other features included in WellPathJo. The emergency button is simply a one-step call option that allows the user to assign a contact number to reach in cases of emergencies. Rawan, for example, has assigned her mother through the emergency button settings. This one step additional feature could be a lifesaving addition which can be a little faster and easier to use than traditional calls. On the other hand, the user can create a favorites buildings list for the locations visited regularly. This can help the user save time and effort. Even more, the voice commands feature could be extra useful for users with severe motion disability.

On the other hand, any user will be able to contribute to WellPathJo by suggesting adding a new building to the app. This is done simply by selecting the new place option then filling in the dedicated addition form. The form to fill in includes adding a general description of the building, selecting its category, and setting its accessibility features. The filled form will be sent to the admin’s side and won’t be added directly to the app’s database. In fact, this collaborative feature allows WellPathJo to grow and include additional buildings which will make it more valuable to the users.

One of the useful additions in WellPathJo is the ability to select the dark mode for the users who are visually impaired. Using a dark background makes reading text easier for some users. However, the sever cases may require other solutions to be included. To this end, WellPathJo notifications can be very useful for wheelchair users. This option can be enabled or disabled by the user through the settings. The notifications received, as Fig. 21 shows, may include alerting Rawan about a new building addition, informing her of a reply to her community post, or telling her that the new building addition was accepted.

Fig. 21.

WellPathJo notification example.

The second user type is the admin. As mentioned earlier, the admin of WellPathJo has many privileges. As mentioned earlier, the admin has the ability to add buildings and categories, create building owners accounts and remove them, add new places, edit the buildings information pages (except the ones with owner account), accept new buildings requests sent by other users, control the posts in the community engagement, among others. Figure 22.a (22.b Arabic), for example, shows a request to add a new building sent by a wheelchair user. The admin has to investigate the details included in the form first before accepting the addition. In some cases, the admin can edit the new requested building or even reject it as mentioned earlier.

Fig. 22.

A new building addition request that is received by the admin.

By default, the pages of the buildings added to WellPathJo are controlled by the admin. This means that the admin of the app is the only one with the ability to edit the information page of any building. However, if any building’s owners or managers want to be responsible for editing its information page on the app, they can apply for a building owner account as mentioned earlier. This is done by contacting the admins through the email or the phone numbers that appears in the “About us page”. The owners/managers have to send a formal building management request along with all the necessary legal documents to prove their ownership of the building and a commitment to making all the necessary updates and enhancements on the building’s page to ensure accurate representation.

As the request email reaches the admins, they will be able to check the validity of the demand then initiate the necessary verification process. Recognizing the importance of empowering business owners to manage their listings, the admin will grant the owners’ access to their building’s information page on WellPathJo. This is done by creating a dedicated owner account with a username and password. Figure 23.a (23.b Arabic) shows the admin creating a building owner account for a specific building.

Fig. 23.

The form used by the admin for creating a building owner account.

The third user type is the building owner. Once the building owner account was created, the admin sends the details by email to the requesting party. Now, the new building owner user will be able to log into the account and use its given privileges to manage the related building information page. The building owner will be able to edit the building description, add or remove images, upload maps, and manage the accessibility features. Figure 24.a (24.b Arabic) shows the process of editing the information page for a building by the owner. This same page is also used by the admin to manage the information pages for the buildings without owner accounts.

Fig. 24.

Editing a building information page.

Survey results

To assess WellPathJo in a practical manner, we invited a diverse group of users to participate in a one-month testing period. The selected candidates included various categories such as wheelchair users and their family members, programmers, computer engineering students, and general users. Wheelchair users are the primary target audience for WellPathJo, as the app is specifically designed to assist them in finding accessible buildings. Their firsthand experience with accessibility challenges is invaluable for evaluating the app’s effectiveness in meeting their needs. Moreover, engaging wheelchair users in the testing process ensures that the app is designed with their specific requirements in mind. Their feedback can guide improvements and enhancements, making WellPathJo a more effective tool for its intended audience. On the other hand, programmers and computer engineering students bring a technical perspective to the testing process. Their understanding of software development and user interface design can help identify potential bugs, usability issues, and areas for improvement that may not be apparent to general users. Also, including individuals with a technical background allows us to evaluate the app’s scalability and integration with other systems. Their feedback can help us understand how WellPathJo can be expanded or adapted for use in different cities or with additional features. Finally, general users can provide a different viewpoint on the app’s usability and accessibility. Their feedback can help identify any barriers that may not be immediately apparent to wheelchair users or technical experts. Engaging a diverse group of users fosters a sense of community and collaboration. It encourages dialogue between different user groups, which can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of accessibility issues and solutions.

After selecting the test group members, we created an illustrative demo to guide users on how to install and effectively utilize the app. This demo was distributed to the members of the test group. Participants were asked to use the app for one month and subsequently complete a 14-question survey. Ultimately, we received a total of 200 responses.

The results of the survey were summarized in Table 2. Key findings reveal that 42% of respondents were wheelchair users, and 33% had used similar apps before. The chatbot was rated positively by 75%, and 80% were satisfied with community interactions. 70% felt confident using the emergency features. Navigation and the Arabic version of the app received positive feedback from 85%. 75% rated the chatbot interface favorably, and 85% found search results accurate. Additionally, 78% felt comfortable using the app for extended periods. In conclusion, while WellPathJo was well-received, as seen in Table 2, there are still areas for improvement.

Table 2.

Survey and statistical results.

1. Are you a wheelchair user?
• Yes				• No
42%				58%
2. Have you used a dedicated application for wheelchair users and accessibility features before?
• Yes				• No
33%				67%
3. On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 is the highest), how effective do you think the chatbot would be in assisting users?
• 1	• 2			• 3								• 4	• 5
10%	15%			25%								30%	20%
4. On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 is the highest), how satisfied are you with the responses provided by the chatbot?
• 1	• 2			• 3								• 4	• 5
15%	15%			25%								30%	15%
5. On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 is the highest), do you think it would be useful to interact with other users within the community forum?
• 1	• 2			• 3								• 4	• 5
5%	10%			25%								40%	20%
6. Do you think that the emergency call is a useful feature?
• Yes								• No
70%								30%
7. On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 is the highest), how would you rate the internal map feature for navigation?
• 1	• 2			• 3								• 4	• 5
7%	3%			25%								30%	35%
8. On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 is the highest), how would you rate the accuracy of the Arabic version of the application?
• 1	• 2			• 3								• 4	• 5
5%	10%			25%								35%	25%
9. Would you be interested in participating in a volunteer-driven initiative to update this app?
• Yes								• No
55%								45%
10. On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 is the highest), how would you rate the user interface (UI) of the chatbot?
• 1			• 2			• 3					• 4			• 5
10%			15%			25%					30%			20%
11. On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 is the highest), when searching for accessible locations, how accurate are the results provided by WellPathJo?
• 1			• 2			• 3					• 4			• 5
5%			10%			35%					35%			15%
12. On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 is the highest), how comfortable do you find the app’s interface for extended use without causing eye strain?
• 1			• 2			• 3					• 4			• 5
7%			15%			25%					50%			3%
13. Do you think the accessibility features rating and the color-coded rating are useful tools to evaluate buildings wheelchair accessibility?
•Yes									• No
60%									40%
14. On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 is the highest), what is your overall rating for WellPathJo?
• 1			• 2			• 3					• 4			• 5
10%			15%			25%					30%			20%

In-depth survey analysis

This section presents a comprehensive analysis of the survey results, incorporating confidence intervals, standard deviations, and significance tests. These statistical measures are included to offer a more thorough and reliable evaluation of the app’s effectiveness. More about these measures, firstly, the confidence interval indicates a range within which the true population parameter is likely to lie. It is calculated by adding or subtracting a margin of error, determined by the critical value and standard error, from the sample mean. Secondly, the standard deviation measures the spread of the data points around the mean. A higher standard deviation indicates greater variability, and it is calculated as the square root of the variance. Finally, significance tests assess whether the observed results are statistically meaningful, using a p-value. A p-value below 0.05 typically indicates that the results are not due to chance.

Interestingly, based on the survey results, 42% of the 200 participants identified as wheelchair users, with a confidence interval of approximately 37.3% to 46.7% (using a 95% confidence level). The standard deviation for this proportion is 0.49, and a significance test indicates that the observed proportion of wheelchair users is statistically significant, with a p-value less than 0.05, confirming the result is unlikely due to chance. Regarding question 2, 33% of the participants reported using a dedicated application for wheelchair users, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 28.8% to 37.2%. The standard deviation for this proportion is approximately 0.47, and a significance test (such as a z-test) reveals a p-value less than 0.05, indicating that the observed proportion of users is statistically significant and not likely due to random chance. On the other hand, the third question outcomes show that the majority of participants rated the chatbot’s effectiveness between scales 3 and 4, with 30% selecting a rating of 4 and 25% selecting a rating of 3. The confidence interval for the average rating falls between 3.29 and 3.71 (with a 95% confidence level), the standard deviation is approximately 1.03, and a significance test reveals that the ratings are statistically significant, as the p-value is less than 0.05, suggesting a meaningful response pattern. After that, the survey results regarding question 4 indicate that 30% of participants were most satisfied with the chatbot’s responses, selecting a rating of 4, while 15% gave the highest rating of 5. The confidence interval for the average satisfaction rating is between 3.19 and 3.61 (at a 95% confidence level), the standard deviation is approximately 1.10, and the significance test shows a p-value below 0.05, indicating that the satisfaction ratings are statistically significant and reflect a meaningful distribution of opinions. Question 5 responses reveal that the majority of participants (40%) rated the usefulness of interacting with others in the community forum as a 4, with 20% selecting the highest rating of 5. The confidence interval for the average rating is between 3.66 and 4.04 (at a 95% confidence level), the standard deviation is approximately 0.97, and a significance test reveals a p-value less than 0.05, indicating that the response pattern is statistically significant and suggests a positive view on community interaction.

The survey results for question 6 show that 70% of participants believe the emergency call feature is useful, while 30% do not. The confidence interval for the proportion of participants who find the feature useful is between 64.8% and 75.2% (at a 95% confidence level), with a standard deviation of approximately 0.46, and a significance test (z-test) reveals a p-value less than 0.05, indicating that the result is statistically significant and reflects a strong support for the emergency call feature. Furthermore, question 7 answers indicate that the majority of participants rated the internal map feature highly, with 35% giving it a 5 and 30% rating it a 4. The confidence interval for the average rating is between 3.85 and 4.15 (at a 95% confidence level), with a standard deviation of approximately 1.01, and a significance test (such as a z-test) shows a p-value less than 0.05, suggesting that the ratings are statistically significant and reflect a positive response to the map feature. Question 8 outcomes, on the other hand, reveal that 35% of participants rated the accuracy of the Arabic version of the app as 4, and 25% rated it a 5, indicating generally positive feedback. The confidence interval for the average rating is between 3.56 and 3.94 (at a 95% confidence level), the standard deviation is approximately 1.06, and a significance test (such as a z-test) reveals a p-value less than 0.05, suggesting the ratings are statistically significant and reflect a favorable perception of the app’s Arabic version. The survey results regarding question 9 show that 55% of participants expressed interest in participating in a volunteer-driven initiative to update the app, while 45% did not. The confidence interval for the proportion of participants interested is between 49.5% and 60.5% (at a 95% confidence level), with a standard deviation of approximately 0.5, and a significance test (such as a z-test) indicates a p-value less than 0.05, suggesting that the interest in volunteering is statistically significant and demonstrates strong support for community involvement. Question 10 shows that 30% of participants rated the user interface (UI) of the chatbot as a 4, with 25% giving it a 3 and 20% selecting the highest rating of 5, indicating an overall positive perception of the UI. The confidence interval for the average rating is between 3.32 and 3.68 (at a 95% confidence level), the standard deviation is approximately 1.03, and a significance test (such as a z-test) shows a p-value less than 0.05, indicating that the ratings are statistically significant and reflect a generally favorable view of the UI.

In the other hand, question 11 results indicate that most participants rated the accuracy of the accessible location results positively, with 35% selecting a rating of 4 and 35% selecting a rating of 3, while 15% rated it the highest at 5. The confidence interval for the average rating is between 3.56 and 3.94 (at a 95% confidence level), the standard deviation is approximately 1.03, and a significance test (such as a z-test) reveals a p-value less than 0.05, suggesting the ratings are statistically significant and reflect generally favorable feedback on the app’s accuracy. Moreover, question 12 responses show that the majority of participants (50%) rated the app’s interface for extended use without eye strain as a 4, while 25% rated it a 3, indicating that the app’s interface is generally considered comfortable for prolonged use. The confidence interval for the average rating is between 3.75 and 4.05 (at a 95% confidence level), with a standard deviation of approximately 0.91, and a significance test (such as a z-test) reveals a p-value less than 0.05, suggesting the ratings are statistically significant and show strong support for the app’s comfort during extended use. The survey results regarding question 13 show that 60% of participants believe that the accessibility features rating and color-coded rating are useful tools for evaluating wheelchair accessibility, while 40% disagreed. The confidence interval for the proportion of participants who find these tools useful is between 54.5% and 65.5% (at a 95% confidence level), with a standard deviation of approximately 0.49, and a significance test (such as a z-test) indicates a p-value less than 0.05, suggesting that the responses are statistically significant and reflect a strong preference for these evaluation tools. Finally, question 14 results reveal that 30% of participants rated WellPathJo a 4, and 25% rated it a 3, indicating generally favorable but not perfect feedback for the app. The confidence interval for the average rating is between 3.42 and 3.78 (at a 95% confidence level), with a standard deviation of approximately 1.04, and a significance test (such as a z-test) reveals a p-value less than 0.05, suggesting that the ratings are statistically significant and reflect a positive overall assessment of WellPathJo. In conclusion, the survey reveals overall satisfaction with WellPathJo’s features, especially its accessibility tools, and highlights statistical significance in the feedback, suggesting that the app meets the needs of its users.

Lessons learned

The development and implementation of WellPathJo have provided valuable insights into the needs and preferences of wheelchair users and the broader community regarding accessibility applications. Here are the key lessons learned from this project:

• User -Centric Design is Essential: Engaging with potential users during the development process highlighted the importance of a user-centric approach. Feedback from wheelchair users emphasized the need for intuitive navigation, clear information about accessibility features, and a responsive interface. This reinforced the idea that understanding user needs is crucial for creating effective solutions.

• Multilingual Support is Critical: The inclusion of both Arabic and English interfaces in WellPathJo was a significant factor in its acceptance among users in Arabic-speaking countries. This experience underscored the necessity of providing multilingual support in applications aimed at diverse populations, ensuring that language barriers do not hinder access to essential services.

• Community Engagement Enhances Value: The incorporation of a community forum allowed users to share experiences and knowledge, fostering a sense of belonging and support among wheelchair users. This feature proved to be a valuable addition, as it not only enriched the user experience but also encouraged active participation and feedback, which are vital for continuous improvement.

• Importance of Comprehensive Features: While basic functionalities like finding accessible buildings are essential, the addition of features such as a chatbot and emergency call button significantly enhances the app’s utility. Users appreciated the ability to receive immediate assistance and guidance, highlighting the importance of comprehensive features in addressing the diverse needs of users.

• Feedback Mechanisms Drive Improvement: The positive response to the survey conducted after the trial period demonstrated the effectiveness of feedback mechanisms in assessing user satisfaction and identifying areas for improvement. Continuous feedback loops are essential for refining the app and ensuring it remains relevant to users’ needs.

In conclusion, the development of WellPathJo has not only addressed a significant gap in accessibility resources for wheelchair users but has also provided critical insights into user needs, community engagement, and the importance of continuous improvement. These lessons will guide future enhancements and expansions of the app, ensuring it remains a valuable tool for promoting accessibility and inclusivity.

Difficulties and limitations

The development and implementation of WellPathJo have presented several challenges and limitations that must be acknowledged to inform future improvements and expansions. These difficulties include:

• Technical Challenges: Developing a robust application that functions seamlessly across different devices and operating systems poses significant technical hurdles. Ensuring compatibility with various Android versions and devices requires extensive testing and optimization, which can be resource-intensive.

• Data Collection and Accuracy: Gathering accurate and up-to-date information about accessible buildings was a major challenge. Reliance on building owners and admins to provide information can lead to inconsistencies and inaccuracies.

• User Engagement and Adoption: Encouraging wheelchair users and building owners to actively engage with the app and contribute information or feedback was a challenge. Many potential users may be unaware of the app’s existence or its benefits, necessitating effective outreach and marketing strategies to increase awareness and adoption.

• Language Support Limitations: While WellPathJo supports both Arabic and English, the lack of additional language options may limit its accessibility for non-Arabic speakers in Arabic countries and for Arabic speakers in other regions.

• Limited Resources for Future Enhancements: While there are plans to incorporate artificial intelligence and additional accessibility features, resource constraints may limit the speed and scope of these enhancements. Securing funding and technical expertise for future development will be crucial to realizing these goals.

In summary, while WellPathJo has made significant progress in addressing the needs of wheelchair users, several difficulties and limitations must be addressed to enhance its effectiveness and reach. Acknowledging these challenges will guide future development efforts and ensure that the app continues to evolve in response to user needs and technological advancements.

Conclusions and future work

In this study, we introduced WellPathJo, an Android smartphone application designed to assist wheelchair users in locating accessible buildings in urban environments. The app allows users to search for public buildings, including government offices and private institutions, categorized into areas such as health services and education. With interfaces available in both Arabic and English, WellPathJo is scalable and adaptable to cities worldwide, ensuring it meets the linguistic needs of a diverse user base. The app provides detailed information on four essential accessibility features: ramps, elevators, restrooms, and parking spots. This comprehensive approach empowers users to make informed decisions regarding the accessibility of buildings. The application supports three user types (admin, building owners, and wheelchair users) creating a collaborative environment for accurate management and updating of building information. Admins manage the system, building owners maintain a specific building, and wheelchair users have many privileges like searching for buildings, rating features, exchange experiences, interacting with a chatbot, among others.

The results from the evaluation survey, which received 200 responses, indicate a general positive reception of WellPathJo. Major findings include that 75% of users rated the chatbot positively, 80% expressed satisfaction with community interactions, and 70% felt confident using the emergency features. Additionally, 85% appreciated the navigation and accuracy of search results. These results highlight the app’s potential to significantly enhance the daily experiences of wheelchair users. Looking ahead, we recognize the importance of continuous improvement and expansion of WellPathJo. Future enhancements will include the integration of artificial intelligence techniques into the chatbot, focusing on machine learning algorithms for personalized user interactions, improved natural language processing for better understanding of user queries, and predictive analytics to anticipate user needs. We also plan to introduce additional accessibility features based on the survey feedback. Furthermore, we plan to expand the language support to include new popular languages such as Spanish and French. This will broaden our reach and accessibility. The development of an iOS version of WellPathJo will accommodate our work to a wider audience. Moreover, we aim to extend the app to other cities, both within and outside Jordan, which will enhance its impact on global accessibility. Overall, the findings from our survey and the planned future enhancements underscore our commitment to making WellPathJo an indispensable tool for enhancing accessibility and improving the quality of life for wheelchair users.

Author contributions

S.Z. S, R. A. M.A, and K.A.D: Methodology, Formal analysis, Conceptualization. S.Z. S and R. A. M.A: Developed the App S.Z. S and K.A.D: Investigation as well as Writing and Editing the article.

Data availability

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.

Declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Research involving human participants and/or animals

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. The study was approved by The Jordanian Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) in 2023.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects and/or their legal guardian(s).