An app which uses open-source data from the London Underground to determine if tube station lifts are operating is being developed by a Cardiff University graduate.
Cellan Hall, 25, originally from Bridgend and now living in London, says he wants to raise awareness of accessibility issues for wheelchair users like himself and other people who depend on access to public transport to live and work in big cities.
Cellan, who uses a manual wheelchair, has cerebral palsy. The disability, which primarily affects his lower limbs, makes it difficult for him to walk long distances without assistance.
While Cellan can drive with the help of hand controls, since moving to London he mainly uses the Underground, relying on navigation apps like Google Maps or Citymapper to understand which routes are accessible.
Cellan said: "These apps have built-in accessibility features that indicate which Underground routes are accessible for me, which is incredibly helpful.
"However, there have been so many occasions when I've followed the navigation only to discover that a lift I relied on was out of order, meaning the route was completely inaccessible to me.
"When this happens, I have to reroute my journey which can really disrupt my day."
While the official Transport for London (TFL) app displays lift disruptions on affected areas of the London Underground map, it often only offers a single accessible route.
Cellan wanted the freedom to choose his own routes while ensuring a safe journey, so decided to take matters into his own hands.
