By the Pedesting Team
When Nabeel Ramji looked around the city he lived in, he often found himself asking why so many public and private spaces were still difficult to navigate for someone using a wheelchair.
After earning his degree and building a successful career as an asset manager, Nabeel met Erin Shilliday, a registered architect in Alberta. During one of their early conversations, Nabeel asked a question that would change the course of both their careers:
"As someone who uses a power wheelchair every day and finds it challenging getting around, why do architects keep designing buildings that do not work for people like myself?"
That conversation sparked a meaningful partnership and led to the creation of Pedesting, a mobile app that helps pedestrians find accessible, barrier-free routes throughout cities, including indoor pathways.
As Nabeel began researching the market, he discovered that more than six million Canadians live with a disability. Many experience daily frustration, anxiety, and social isolation — something he deeply related to.
“For the longest time, I felt alone and isolated, where I did not think I had an individual voice due to my disability,” he shared.
“However, as I learned and met others in the accessibility community, I was inspired to use my unique personal lived experience as a strength towards taking the entrepreneurial leap.”
Pedesting was created to bridge the gap between how cities are designed and how people actually move through them. With a focus on technology, community feedback, and inclusive design, the app is helping reshape the way cities welcome everyone.
📰 Read more about the launch: Global News coverage
📺 Watch Pedesting's story: CBC Television segment
🎥 Watch Nabeel Ramji's story: Haskayne Bold Leaders Award