EZ3 | Devpost

Inspiration

It started with a simple frustration:

The desire to find a place to belong, a spot to sit with a coffee, meet people, and feel part of a neighborhood. Many people struggle to know if a place will actually suit them before they enter. Third spaces like cafes, libraries, parks, and community centers are essential for forming communities. They spark friendships and help people stop being strangers. For 35 million Americans with a disability, finding a truly accessible place has meant relying on guesswork and often inaccurate information, leading to the quiet embarrassment of arriving somewhere that wasn't designed for them.

What it does

EZ3 is a mobile app that helps users find genuinely accessible third spaces and connect with the existing community. Each venue on the map includes important details such as mobility access, quiet hours, and staff awareness. Users can filter options based on their preferences, read real check-ins from visitors, and chat with the community before planning a visit. Importantly, the app is fully accessible, compatible with screen readers, features high contrast, adjustable text, and has been designed to ensure that the tool used for finding accessible spaces does not become a barrier itself.

How we built it

We began by identifying our main priority for this project, which was accessibility. Our aim was to connect accessibility with building community through third spaces. This led us to the app concept, EZ3. In building this app, our focus was to make it as accessible as possible by prioritizing a filtering system and ensuring app accessibility.

Challenges we ran into

The biggest challenge was deciding what to focus on. Initially, we attempted to create a very complex implementation that we wouldn’t complete in time. We had to adjust our priorities to deliver a product within the deadline and ensure we had a working model of the app.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud that the app is genuinely accessible. We value our community model, where those who benefit most from the data are also those creating it, forming a feedback loop that strengthens over time.

What we learned

Through this project, we learned that accessibility and community are interconnected issues. We realized that the best product decisions often involve simplifying features. An earlier version of this app tried to address every need. This version focuses on three key areas in depth: mobility, sensory needs, and community connections.

What's next for EZ3

Our future plan includes expanding pilot city partnerships, onboarding our first group of venue dashboard customers, and formalizing data licensing agreements with municipal accessibility offices. In the long run, we aim to provide API access for third-party navigation and mapping tools, deeper integration with local community organizations, and a recognition program for our most active contributors. The vision is clear: a world where anyone, regardless of ability, can open an app, find a suitable place, and enter with the confidence that they belong.