Innovative Practice 2018 on Accessibility
Crowd-sourced reviews on 1,000 sites across Egypt
| Name of Innovative Practice: | Access for All |
|---|---|
| Organisation: | Helm Foundation |
| Country of Implementation | Egypt |
PROBLEMS TARGETED
There is a lack of information in Egypt on which venues support which accessibility features. While Egypt does have accessibility standards and building codes relating to accessibility they are not uniformly implemented or effectively enforced, leading to difficulty in independent movement around the City.
SOLUTION, INNOVATION, AND IMPACT
The Entaleq application was developed in partnership with the Vodafone Egypt Foundation as a funding partner and Microsoft as a technology partner, and is available on Android and IOS smartphones. The app allows persons with physical disabilities, hearing impairments, and visual impairments to search for venues such as shops, restaurants, and public offices that provide the accessibility 
features that they require. Users can request a venue to be added, after which the Helm team reviews the venue and uploads it to the app, if approved. Other Entaleq users can then provide their own reviews and comments. Since its introduction in 2015, over 1,000 people have downloaded the app and over 700 venues have been reviewed, primarily in Cairo.
Entaleq is complemented by Helm Inclusive Consulting, a social enterprise working alongside Helm and created by the Helm founders. Organizations can request help of Helm experts who conduct reviews of venues and who then provide advice and a detailed accessibility report on designing more inclusive solutions. To date, over 140 venues have implemented accessibility modifications such as ramps, Braille menus, and accessible bathrooms.
features that they require. Users can request a venue to be added, after which the Helm team reviews the venue and uploads it to the app, if approved. Other Entaleq users can then provide their own reviews and comments. Since its introduction in 2015, over 1,000 people have downloaded the app and over 700 venues have been reviewed, primarily in Cairo.Entaleq is complemented by Helm Inclusive Consulting, a social enterprise working alongside Helm and created by the Helm founders. Organizations can request help of Helm experts who conduct reviews of venues and who then provide advice and a detailed accessibility report on designing more inclusive solutions. To date, over 140 venues have implemented accessibility modifications such as ramps, Braille menus, and accessible bathrooms.
OUTLOOK, TRANSFERABILITY AND FUNDING
Since 2015 the use of Entaleq has continue to grow and now includes sites beyond Greater Cairo, most notably in the tourist areas of Luxor and Hurghada. Helm is also planning a 
new update that will allow users to add venues themselves by answering a set of questions related to the accessibility of the venue.
The app is financed through grants and sponsorships. However, as traffic increases the app will move towards becoming self-sustaining with income based on commercial advertising. The consultancy service is already self-sustaining by charging for its assessments and reporting. Helm has also developed policies and procedures to allow replication of the app in other cities across Egypt; and there has been international interest in the model from Australia, China, and Jordan.
new update that will allow users to add venues themselves by answering a set of questions related to the accessibility of the venue.The app is financed through grants and sponsorships. However, as traffic increases the app will move towards becoming self-sustaining with income based on commercial advertising. The consultancy service is already self-sustaining by charging for its assessments and reporting. Helm has also developed policies and procedures to allow replication of the app in other cities across Egypt; and there has been international interest in the model from Australia, China, and Jordan.
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