Kakao is helping everyone safely and conveniently enjoy forest paths.
Kakao announced on the 3rd that it has launched a new ‘Barrier-Free Sharing Paths’ map in its mobile map app KakaoMap. This initiative is part of a partnership established in March with the Korea Forest Welfare Institute to provide digital information on barrier-free shared paths.
The Barrier-Free Sharing Paths are designed by the Korea Forest Welfare Institute, creating deck roads and yellow clay paths in forests so that those with mobility difficulties, such as the elderly, disabled, and pregnant women, can safely enjoy the forest. This is the first time that nationwide information on barrier-free sharing paths has been added to a map app.
Based on the nationwide barrier-free sharing path data established by the Korea Forest Welfare Institute, Kakao has newly added 113 barrier-free sharing paths to KakaoMap. By searching for barrier-free sharing paths on KakaoMap, users can easily find information on the locations, routes, total distances, and entrances of the 113 barrier-free sharing paths located across the country.
Additionally, on the 2nd, Kakao revealed a themed map titled ‘Top 10 Forest Trail Attractions That Are Convenient and Safe for Everyone to Visit.’ This themed map includes beautifully natural environments and unique attractions, featuring places such as the Nam-myeon Barrier-Free Sharing Path (Gunsan, Chungcheongnam-do) where you can experience primitive forests, the Sayreoni Forest Barrier-Free Sharing Path (Jeju City), and the Mansusan Barrier-Free Sharing Path (Incheon) that connects to the mountain’s summit.
Kakao’s Digital Accessibility Officer (DAO) Kim Hye-il, who prepared the project, stated, “We planned this service to enhance digital information accessibility for barrier-free sharing paths, so that everyone with mobility challenges can conveniently use forest paths,” adding, “In the future, we plan to collaborate with the Korea Forest Welfare Institute to provide more diverse usage information and strengthen our promotional efforts on multiple fronts.”
On a related note, Kakao has appointed a Digital Accessibility Officer (DAO) for its ‘Barrier-Free Initiative’ aimed at enhancing digital accessibility for people with disabilities, making it the first domestic IT company to do so. They continuously strive to assess and improve accessibility in Kakao’s services to create inclusive offerings for all users. This includes supporting alternative text for Kakao emoticons, providing information for people with transportation needs on subway platforms within KakaoMap, applying image alternative text features on Daum Channel, obtaining accessibility certification for Kakao’s corporate site and customer service, and providing alternative text and silent video information in customer service announcements. This past Disability Day, they also launched activities for the ‘Kakao Accessibility Supporters’ involving about 30 people with disabilities.
Contact: Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr