I have an idea

...so you're saying you want to put the data from the NAS service directory http://www.autism.org.uk/directory.aspx onto a map, so that people can see the relative location of things?

Couldn't we just ask the NAS to insert a Google map mashup into their existing service directory, so that anyone with access to the web (even if they don't own the relevant smartphone platform), would be able to access it?

The trouble is that the data on the directory isn’t sufficient. It’s all very well if you are “lucky” enough to live in an area where there are services and autistic specific support or friendly places. Many areas of the country just do not have anything on the directory or if there is it’s the wrong age group or service.  I think the idea is more for things not on the directory already. So that if we find something/somewhere that is autism friendly it can be added to the app. For example the little local quiet cafe or the quieter evening dimmed lighting swim etc if each one of us could add two or three things up and down the country we could cover more postcodes. The quiet cinema events are a great idea but for me they are miles away and just too far to attend. Even Council sports facilities are postcode lottery’s in one area there are more disabled or autism friendly events or sessions and in some they just don’t understand what you are asking for and so there aren’t any. It’s not just noise and lights, it’s sizes of groups or how claustrophobic somewhere is alterations in shops or libraries where shelves are brought closer together or higher mean I’m less likely to go in .. 

Hi @Misfit61,

OK, so given your comment, I can see two options (there might be other options, but I can't personally see them right now; is that also an ASD "thing"??? ):

1) Augment the existing NAS directory with the additional information, and make it a one-stop-shop. Let the NAS vet any submissions from users.

2) Fragment the information between the NAS directory and a 3rd party app, with the likelihood that some users, such as Former Member, can't access a 3rd party app, simply because they don't have the "right" phone/tablet. FWIW, I wasn't actually planning on *my* next handset being a smartphone either. This immediately creates a second class of autistic "have nots". Then the rest of you will have the consequential problem of needing to look in two or more places whenever you want something autism-related. You'll probably also have to pay some kind of subscription fee to use the app, depending on the business model that the provider selects; server time is unfortunately not totally free, and an app's creators deserve to eat, too.

I also fully grok your explanation of the crowd-sourcing of additional venues. It's the USP of this proposal really. However, again, I think there is a potential unintended consequence here too:

Let's say forum user @XYZ (I hope there isn't a real @XYZ because I just made that up ) starts submitting AFAs (Autism Friendly Areas) to the app. It could well be feasible to identify us by analysis of the "centres of gravity" of our submissions, based on our actual locations being roughly central to the set of places we each identify as being autism friendly. This immediately makes user privacy a big concern of any such 3rd party app.

Next, you've also got the situation where user @999 adds a cafe that they like very much, only to have other users panning the place because each of our needs and specific triggers are different? I guess I am wondering if there are really places that are accessible to *all* autistic individuals, or only overlapping sub-sets of *some* of us... we would probably need to have a trial data set of "really good places" to progress those questions though.

thank you for explanation of the acronyms. The beauty of a community is that we all have different strengths. So it’s good that you can show us a practical view of such a project. I just didn’t want to possibilities squashed. In with the classification of the type of place could also be a couple of descriptive words to show why it’s afa. But yes I think you’ve got it about right. 

Misfit61 said:

Mashup or FWIW or grok or Usp ; I don’t know what these mean!

No problem, my mind was racing a bit, but you're right, I should have been clearer. 

Mashup: sticking two ideas together to build something new, usually quicker than reinventing wheels. 

FWIW: For What It's Worth

Grok: understand, comprehend, appreciate, value

USP: Unique Selling Point. 

I'm not saying you can't have an app. Really I'm just thinking aloud, partly to test my understanding of what is being suggested, and partly because I could immediately see some potential pitfalls. 

When embarking upon a journey like this, I have a habit of thinking ahead about what might get in the way. As a result, a lot of problems can be sorted out by the time they'd actually be a problem. This is partly the way I'm wired, and partly because of the types of jobs I've held. You wouldn't be the first to accuse me of negativity. 

As I already suggested, one way of positively achieving what i think we'd all find useful is to persuade the NAS to widen the remit of the existing directory. Alternatively, yes, there's the possibility of apps, but i think it would also need to be accessible via the web, possibly with a different level of functionality. 

What sort of information would be needed?

postal address, for a pin on a map

GPS postcode 

classification of the type of place - probably keyword based 

Phone numbers

email addresses 

website

anything else?

I have read your comments with interest. Yes I agree we could submit our ideas to be a new less formal section of the Nas directory ( which is more about what professional services are available not social). I find the directory disheartening because there is so little of it applicable to me. An app could be supplementary for those who find that format easier to use. Some of us find apps easier to use than websites and links in websites. There is room for all types. We already have to search around more than one place to find anything or any services if there isn’t anything on the directory in the area you live that the norm for those of us in that situation the idea of the app is to bring a broader range of things together. Apps aren’t just accessible on smartphones and tablets, you get them on laptops too I don’t know about pc’s as I don’t have one.

Mashup or FWIW or grok or Usp ; I don’t know what these mean! Paying a subscription is an assumption not a fact at the moment. I think you must be a lot younger than me and more tech savvy  as I just talked about what would be useful to me not the technical implications. 

Whose to say the identity of the submission needs to be public? And also it would just mean everyone is aware that there is someone in the area who would like an afa not who it is and there is a very strong likelihood of that being the case wherever you live and could be reassuring because in many cases there isn’t a way to find other autistic adults if there isn’t a meet up and that is very isolating. I asked my Gp if there are other people with autism/Aspergers where I live .. she said yes but I haven’t a clue who they are or how to meet them. But yes I agree for the privacy to be maintained in submitting suggestions. Yes we are all very individual. Yes we may more than probably like /dislike different attributes to a venue but isnt it worth a try? How do you positively suggest something like this can be achieved if you don’t like the suggestions so far? Personally something like this would be fantastic as I spend the majority of my time at home alone. With support there are 2 tearooms I can go to and feel as comfortable as I am able. The local cinema I go to about twice a year.. I went to see Paddington the volume was so loud I stuck tissues in my ears , the sports centre is claustrophobic and doesn’t offer any sessions for someone like me, there aren’t any services for people with adult Aspergers where I live. I really would benefit and use some sort of easy place to find out about things in my area as I have searched for hours at a time becoming more and more despondent when I didn’t find anything. 

I have read your comments with interest. Yes I agree we could submit our ideas to be a new less formal section of the Nas directory ( which is more about what professional services are available not social). I find the directory disheartening because there is so little of it applicable to me. An app could be supplementary for those who find that format easier to use. Some of us find apps easier to use than websites and links in websites. There is room for all types. We already have to search around more than one place to find anything or any services if there isn’t anything on the directory in the area you live that the norm for those of us in that situation the idea of the app is to bring a broader range of things together. Apps aren’t just accessible on smartphones and tablets, you get them on laptops too I don’t know about pc’s as I don’t have one.

Mashup or FWIW or grok or Usp ; I don’t know what these mean! Paying a subscription is an assumption not a fact at the moment. I think you must be a lot younger than me and more tech savvy  as I just talked about what would be useful to me not the technical implications. 

Whose to say the identity of the submission needs to be public? And also it would just mean everyone is aware that there is someone in the area who would like an afa not who it is and there is a very strong likelihood of that being the case wherever you live and could be reassuring because in many cases there isn’t a way to find other autistic adults if there isn’t a meet up and that is very isolating. I asked my Gp if there are other people with autism/Aspergers where I live .. she said yes but I haven’t a clue who they are or how to meet them. But yes I agree for the privacy to be maintained in submitting suggestions. Yes we are all very individual. Yes we may more than probably like /dislike different attributes to a venue but isnt it worth a try? How do you positively suggest something like this can be achieved if you don’t like the suggestions so far? Personally something like this would be fantastic as I spend the majority of my time at home alone. With support there are 2 tearooms I can go to and feel as comfortable as I am able. The local cinema I go to about twice a year.. I went to see Paddington the volume was so loud I stuck tissues in my ears , the sports centre is claustrophobic and doesn’t offer any sessions for someone like me, there aren’t any services for people with adult Aspergers where I live. I really would benefit and use some sort of easy place to find out about things in my area as I have searched for hours at a time becoming more and more despondent when I didn’t find anything. 

thank you for explanation of the acronyms. The beauty of a community is that we all have different strengths. So it’s good that you can show us a practical view of such a project. I just didn’t want to possibilities squashed. In with the classification of the type of place could also be a couple of descriptive words to show why it’s afa. But yes I think you’ve got it about right. 

Misfit61 said:

Mashup or FWIW or grok or Usp ; I don’t know what these mean!

No problem, my mind was racing a bit, but you're right, I should have been clearer. 

Mashup: sticking two ideas together to build something new, usually quicker than reinventing wheels. 

FWIW: For What It's Worth

Grok: understand, comprehend, appreciate, value

USP: Unique Selling Point. 

I'm not saying you can't have an app. Really I'm just thinking aloud, partly to test my understanding of what is being suggested, and partly because I could immediately see some potential pitfalls. 

When embarking upon a journey like this, I have a habit of thinking ahead about what might get in the way. As a result, a lot of problems can be sorted out by the time they'd actually be a problem. This is partly the way I'm wired, and partly because of the types of jobs I've held. You wouldn't be the first to accuse me of negativity. 

As I already suggested, one way of positively achieving what i think we'd all find useful is to persuade the NAS to widen the remit of the existing directory. Alternatively, yes, there's the possibility of apps, but i think it would also need to be accessible via the web, possibly with a different level of functionality. 

What sort of information would be needed?

postal address, for a pin on a map

GPS postcode 

classification of the type of place - probably keyword based 

Phone numbers

email addresses 

website

anything else?