Access Earth

Today marks Access Earth’s 9th birthday, and we are excited to reflect on some key milestones that have defined our journey. From launching our app to leading innovative projects, each step has brought us closer to our mission: creating an #Accessible world!    Here is a look at 9 milestones throughout our 9 years:    𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧   Our #App was built on the belief that everyone should have equal access to information. Each update reinforces our commitment to accessible, reliable information.     𝐌𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲   Over the years, we have hosted mapping events with tech giants like Microsoft, expanding accessible information across communities. 🤝 #PartneredForImpact     𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭 𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐩 - 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫   In 2014, Access Earth won the #ImagineCup’s World Citizenship category in Ireland, affirming our mission and inspiring us to keep innovating for accessibility.     𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦    Our disability-led team has grown with diverse, talented individuals, each bringing their own lived experiences that have enriched our work and strengthened our commitment to inclusion and innovation.     𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐀𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠   As a key partner in the EU’s H2020 SHAPES project, we helped build an EU-standardised platform to support healthy, accessible ageing for all.     𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠   Believing in the power of community, we are grateful that crowdfunding allowed our supporters a direct way to join our mission. Each of you is a part of this journey—thank you!    𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦   Our accessibility feedback system is transforming customer care in aviation and businesses, ensuring real-world improvements for individuals with access needs.   𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧   Our disability-led team values adaptive policies. From work-from-home during COVID-19 to our ‘health leave’ policy, we ensure each team member has the support they need.      𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭   Our latest milestone, the #SPACES Project (Smart Parking Accessibility and Compliance Enhancement System), aims to transform urban parking for disabled drivers / blue badge holders. This project is funded by European Space Agency - ESA, in partnership with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Expleo Group. With a special collaboration and support from the Disabled Drivers Association and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.      To everyone who has been part of this journey—thank you for believing in us and our mission. Here’s to 9 years of making accessibility a reality—and many more to come!     Yours,    The Access Earth Team     #Disability #TechForGood #Accessibility #Growth #Innovation #SPACESProject #AccessEarth

"I am thrilled to be delivering the keynote speech today at the European Women Payments Network (EWPN) Annual Conference! This year’s theme, ‘Make It Last,’ holds particular relevance as we focus on ensuring #Accessibility is not just an afterthought but a core pillar in the very foundations of fintech. At Access Earth, we believe that true inclusivity in fintech happens when accessibility is recognised as a catalyst for progress, not a checkbox. I’ll be discussing how the industry can develop solutions that promote long-term sustainability and equitable access for all users. It’s time to reframe accessibility as a driver of both innovation and equality within fintech. Looking forward to insightful discussions and connecting with others who share the vision of a more inclusive, accessible world. " - Matt McCann fscom | European Women Payments Network (EWPN) | IDA Ireland #EWPN2024 #MakeItLast #AccessibilityInFintech #InclusiveInnovation #Inclusion #Tech #Innovation #Speaker #Keynote #Ireland #Conference

We Need Your Feedback - Take the SPACES Survey Now! We’re calling on disabled drivers, passengers, and anyone passionate about accessible parking who hasn’t had the opportunity to share their feedback yet. Whether you have direct experience or are invested in creating a more accessible Ireland, we want to hear from you! Your insights are essential in shaping a truly inclusive and sustainable solution for accessible parking across the country. Take the survey here: https://lnkd.in/eb2UkHYg Please share this with your network to help us reach as many voices as possible! #Accessibility #SPACESProject #InclusiveDesign #AccessibleParking #DisabilityInclusion #AccessForAll #AccessEarth #Parking #Ireland #Inclusion #Disability Access Earth | Matt McCann| Amy Whelan

We’re supporting #MakeWayDay24 Access Earth is all about accessibility, and we’re happy to help raise awareness of the barriers people with disabilities face. 🔗 Visit www.makewayday.com to learn more about how you can get involved today, or reach out to Disability Federation of Ireland. #Accessibility #Inclusion #DisabilityAwareness #MakeWayDay #InclusiveStreets Disability Federation of Ireland

To make sure every voice is heard, we’ve created a survey open to everyone. Your input is crucial in shaping #Accessible parking solutions. Please take a few moments to complete this short survey and share it with your networks! Access Earth Expleo Group Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Disabled Drivers Association European Space Agency - ESA

Celebrating Our Latest #Customer Launch: AXA UK, Belfast We are thrilled to share our collaboration with AXA. Together, we’ve launched the #AccessEarth Feedback system at Axa’s Belfast offices, a solution that empowers staff to provide anonymous feedback on how to enhance accessibility and inclusion within their workplace. At Access Earth, we are passionate about leveraging technology to drive meaningful change. This initiative represents a significant step forward in our mission to create more accessible and inclusive work environments. As our CEO, Matt McCann, puts it: “Every step we take towards improving accessibility and inclusion makes a real difference. It’s through collaborative efforts like this that we turn our vision into tangible impact, ensuring every voice is heard and valued.” 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐀𝐱𝐚’𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬? 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧! 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞? 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. #WorkplaceInclusion | 🌍 #Accessibility | 💼 #EDI | 🤝 #Collaboration | #Diversity #Inclusion | 💡 #Innovation | AXA Ireland | AXA | Gavin Hennessy, Jane Doherty, Mark Kelly, Aidan Murphy Amy Whelan | Image Description: Matt McCann, a white man with a visible disability, and CEO of Access Earth, stands in AXA's Belfast offices, framed by floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a panoramic view of the Belfast cityscape behind him.

Our Early Bird Offer is Now OPEN! Don’t miss your chance to join our #UniversalDesign for Cities course at a special rate! Transform your approach to urban design and help create #Cities that are inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to all. Course Start Date: November 18, 2024 Format: Online 💡 Early Bird Discount: Save over 20% if you register by September 30th, 2024! This course is perfect for urban planners, architects, city officials, and advocates passionate about building equitable communities. Learn from experts with lived experiences, and gain practical skills through real-world case studies and projects. Limited spots are available—secure yours before they're gone. Register here: https://shorturl.at/vnayx See our Course Page here: https://lnkd.in/eE9R8jhG #UniversalDesign #UrbanPlanning #EarlyBird #InclusiveCities #Accessibility #CityDesign #RegisterNow #SPACESproject #AccessEarth #UrbanMobility #City #EarlyBird #Offer #Course #Online #EuropeanUnion #Inclusion #Accessibility #Community

𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝟑 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬! Get ready to transform your approach to urban design with our Universal Design for Cities course. Be among the first to secure your spot and gain insights from leading experts in the field. 💡 Help spread the word about creating more inclusive cities—share this post with your network! Join the waitlist below and be notified when Early Bird registration opens! Accessible Black Hills | EIT Urban Mobility #UrbanDesign #Accessibility #InclusiveCities #ProfessionalDevelopment #SmartCities #UrbanMobility #Course #EarlyBird #Europe #Ireland https://lnkd.in/eE9R8jhG

Welcome to the 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗦 Project! 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 We are excited to announce the launch of the SPACES project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving #Accessibility for disabled drivers, passengers, and Blue Badge holders across Ireland. This project is led by Access Earth in partnership with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Des Houlihan and Ronan Herron and invaluable support from our technical partners at Expleo Group, Brian Kennedy and John O'Connell. Their combined expertise and enthusiasm have been instrumental in bringing this project to life. Co-funded by the European Space Agency - ESA the SPACES project leverages cutting-edge Earth Observation (EO) technology and Satellite Navigation (SatNav) to create innovative solutions to enhance accessibility and inclusivity within our communities. By integrating these advanced technologies, we are working to make our cities more equitable for everyone. At the heart of the SPACES project is a technical solution designed to validate accessible and disability parking spaces, ensuring they are occupied only by people displaying a valid, up-to-date Blue Badge. Too often, accessible spaces are unavailable to those who need them most. By addressing this issue, we aim to create a fairer and more accessible society where transportation and parking are truly inclusive. We have actively engaged with key stakeholders, including Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs), individuals with disabilities, disabled drivers, local and national government officials, and An Garda Síochána. Their input from the outset has been crucial in shaping this pilot phase, ensuring it meets the needs of all users. Our close collaboration with the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) has been particularly impactful. Their time and expertise have been essential in ensuring that all aspects of the Blue Badge system are thoroughly considered. We also extend our special thanks to Minister Roderic O'Gorman, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and his office for their unwavering support and commitment to the success of this project. To learn more about the SPACES project, visit our website at the link below or contact the Access Earth team at spaces@accessearth.com. We welcome your questions and are eager to share how you can get involved. Please share this post with your network and help us spread the word! #Accessibility #Inclusion #SPACESProject #AccessEarth #Innovation #DLR #Expleo #Disability #Ireland #SPACES #Parking #BlueBadge #Community #Cities #UNCRPD #Transport #ESA #Driving https://lnkd.in/et3ssWK4

Calling all professionals committed to creating inclusive, #Accessible cities! We're offering an exciting course on Designing Cities with Universal Design—a must for anyone involved in urban development. This course isn't just for architects, planners, and advocates. If you belong to any of the following fields, this course is for you: Civil Engineers Urban Designers Public Policy Makers and Government Officials Real Estate Developers Facility Managers Disability Rights Organizations Academics and Researchers Healthcare Professionals Community Organizations and NGOs Construction Companies and Contractors Educational Institutions Transportation Authorities Technology and Innovation Experts Environmental Designers Housing Associations and Social Housing Providers Interior Designers Housing Policy Experts Smart City Planners Join us to learn how you can transform our cities into places where everyone can thrive. Let's build a future that's inclusive for all! https://lnkd.in/eE9R8jhG Accessible Black Hills | EIT Urban Mobility #UniversalDesign #UrbanPlanning #InclusiveCities #Accessibility #Ireland #SmartCities #Architecture #UrbanDesign #AccessibleCourses #AccessEarth #Inclusion