AXS Map is awarded the Community Challenge Grant for its wide-reaching generational and policy impact, particularly for the 50-plus community

AXS Map, a crowd-sourced platform that empowers people to share and find accessibility information about public spaces, is collaborating with AARP to launch a series of community Mapathons aimed at increasing walkability and accessibility in New York City neighborhoods. This is part of the organization being selected to receive a Capacity-Building Microgrant through the 2025 AARP Community Challenge grant program.

The first of three AARP-funded Mapathons will take place on July 11, 2025, at Parsons School of Design, beginning at 12:00 PM. Press and community members are welcome. Opportunities for live interviews and media coverage will be available throughout the day.

Details: About the Mapathon

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Each Mapathon will focus on mapping three NYC neighborhoods using AARP’s Walk Audit Toolkit in combination with AXS Map’s accessibility platform. Participants will cover approximately five blocks per event (around 12 intersections) to document accessibility features and challenges, helping improve public data and community awareness.

"Our mission for the past 12 years has been to empower local communities to assess and improve accessibility in their neighborhoods," said Jason DaSilva, Founder of AXS Map. "With AARP’s collaboration, we’re not only collecting critical data but fostering community engagement and inclusion. Winning the grant out of 3,450+ applications nationwide is a testament to the impact we have and will continue to make around the globe.”

“AARP New York is proud to work with communities across the state to help make them more livable for people of all ages,” said Beth Finkel, State Director of AARP New York. “AXS Lab’s project will help improve three New York City neighborhoods by identifying locations for road repair, sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, and better signage through walk audits in the community. The data will be shared with city officials, the community, and local businesses to discuss improvements, empowering older New Yorkers to maintain their independence. We’re excited to see this come to life.”

The initiative specifically encourages participation from individuals age 50 and older, aligning with AARP’s mission of empowering older adults to thrive in their communities. Volunteers will be trained and supported onsite, with assistance from AXS Lab staff and volunteers, particularly for those unfamiliar with the mapping technology.

This summer, six youth participants from the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development’s (DYCD) Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) are joining the initiative and working closely with AXS Map. These young people are not only learning about accessibility and inclusive urban planning but also playing an active role in collecting data and leading community outreach efforts. Their involvement brings an important intergenerational perspective to the project, helping to foster collaboration and shared learning between older and younger New Yorkers.

“DYCD’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the nation’s largest and oldest program of its kind—providing a record 100,000 jobs and other paid opportunities to young people again this summer. The SYEP participants interning at AXS Map will be exposed to real-world work experience while learning about tech and the disabilities community,” said DYCD Commissioner Keith Howard. “We wish them and all of our SYEP youth a productive and enjoyable summer!” The July 11 event will kick off with an orientation at Parsons, after which participants will be sent out individually or in groups. AXS Lab team members will remain on site until 2:00 PM to assist late arrivals and answer questions.

Now in its ninth year, the Challenge has awarded $736,188 through 63 grants in New York since 2017 to nonprofit organizations and local government entities across the state. Grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

About AXS Lab

AXS Lab is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing accessibility and amplifying the voices of people with disabilities through innovative media, technology, and community engagement. With support from the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, New York Community Trust, Bertha Foundation, and Google Earth Outreach, AXS Lab continues to lead the way in digital inclusion. For more information, visit AXS Lab

About AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.

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"With AARP’s collaboration, we’re not only collecting critical data but fostering community engagement and inclusion. Winning the grant out of 3,450+ applications nationwide is a testament to the impact we have and will continue to make around the globe.”