HY ERICA, 하이 에리카, hanyang magazine, hanyang webzine

A service has been developed to make the vast 1,028,133㎡ ERICA campus more accessible and safe for all members to use. The barrier-free campus app “Gil Pyeon Hanyang” aims to create an inclusive campus environment for all patrons. The HY ERICA Editor’s Office took a closer look at "Gil Pyeon Hanyang" from the user’s perspective and the following is what was learned.

Accessing Essential Information in the Easiest Way

“Access to buildings, roads, public transportation, and other indoor and outdoor facilities, as well as information, communication, and other services, must be guaranteed” (from the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities).

The term “Barrier-Free” refers to policies aimed at eliminating physical and psychological obstacles for vulnerable groups in society. Such policies have become a crucial aspect in architectural design and building construction as they are aimed at considering the needs of vulnerable groups, including those with disabilities. Also important is the dissemination and utilization of accessible information beyond the installation of such facilities. The 11th formation of “Sojunghandae”, a Hanyang student organization, created the ERICA Barrier-Free Campus Map by analyzing and evaluating facilities and spaces on the campus, for their Human Rights Center Social Service Class.

Later, three undergraduate students, JaeHyeong Lee, YunSeong Jeong, and DongSeop Lim, from the Department of Computer Science & Engineering and the Department of Business Administration, developed the map further and created a web app, “Gil Pyeon Hanyang.” The app delivers essential information quickly and intuitively, thereby enhancing accessibility.

① Everything that’s possible with Gil Pyeon Hanyang

Gil Pyeon Hanyang was developed as a web app that shows the current status of all campus facilities to increase usage efficiency. It is accessible and installable for both Android and iOS users. Users can check nearby barrier-free facilities based on their location and voice search to find places.

② Providing Practical Information from the User’s Perspective

Gil Pyeon Hanyang provides detailed information that is handy for users when utilizing barrier-free facilities. Not only does the app intuitively provide guidance to users about places where barrier-free facilities are not available, but it also provides thoughtful detailed comments such as “the entrance to the disabled restroom is narrow,” “the disabled restroom is only available on the first floor men's restroom,” and “if using a wheelchair, only the first floor is accessible.”

Microsoft's GitHub was utilized in the development of Gil Pyeon Hanyang. GitHub is a platform where multiple users can work together, recording and saving changes. Additionally, it accepts user feedback through a complaint-reporting function, which can contribute to the modification of facility information. In other words, Gil Pyeon Hanyang allows anyone at ERICA to view and edit the barrier-free facility status. Since this app is a solution for all members of ERICA, it is possible for anyone to join and contribute to its development. Gil Pyeon Hanyang is expected to become even more useful through the involvement of the members of the campus community.