App empowers disabled to win access to buildings

Fed up with the obstacle course of Lisbon’s narrow footways and stairs in doorways, wheelchair user Ricardo Teixeira has taken matters into his own hands, giving disabled people the chance to fight back and instantly report violations via a phone app.

Developed together with Portugal’s disability charity Salvador Association, +Acesso is believed to be the world’s first application allowing users to file official complaints against public buildings and businesses that do not meet accessibility laws.

The digital entrepreneur, a tetraplegic since the age of 18, came up with the idea a year ago after a disappointing experience during his wedding anniversary party at a restaurant, which advertised itself as being accessible.