Ability App

Good News Good Planet

For more delicious news, go to www.GoodNewsGoodPlanet.com, and scroll to bottom for more ways to find the feel good stuff!* THE ABILITY APP From disability to ability, with an app. Holding a job, running errands, or just going out to dinner can be challenging for those with disabilities. An Idaho teenager hopes to avert those challenges through the power of an app. Alex Knoll was just nine years old in 2014 when he came up with the idea while watching a man in a wheelchair struggle to open a heavy door. He wondered if there was an app or website that could’ve told him what stores around the area had automatic doors. But there weren't any, so Alex set out to build one. Four years later, Alex’s "Ability App" was nearly finished. It’s designed so that the disabled and their caregivers can search for accessibility features of local businesses such as wheelchair ramps, disabled parking, braille menus and more. After an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Alex was flooded with thousands of emails saying how life-changing this groundbreaking app would be for them. Ellen also helped fund his project and hooked him up with her App team. His TV appearance then lead to an invite to Apple for their Keynote conference. As of mid 2019, the app was in its early Phase 1 stage. Phase 2 will include services such as in-home care, grocery delivery, transportation, and occupational therapy. Phase 3 will add employment listings as well as reviews from users. Alex has also recruited over 800 volunteer "Ability Ambassadors," people that help identify and rate local communities on their accessibility. The idea is to create a digital ecosystem similar to Yelp, for those with disabilities. As Alex nears completion of the Ability App, he says he can't wait to share this amazing tool with the world… well, neither can we. #### *Hungry for more of the Good Stuff? Search "Good News Good Planet" on YouTube, Instagram, Patreon, Alexa and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.