AbleLink

Inspiration

The idea for AbleLink started with a simple, real conversation. Every morning, one of our teammates noticed a coworker who uses Regina’s para-transit service waiting outside for her ride. When asked how the system worked, she explained that she has to call or email dispatch every time she needs a ride, even though the city buses already have GPS tracking. That moment revealed a hidden accessibility gap: the technology exists, but the people who need it most don’t benefit from it. We wanted to change that.

What it does

AbleLink is a real-time para-transit web app that lets mobility-impaired riders: Book rides online without calling or emailing dispatch. See live bus movement and ETAs through an interactive map powered by Leaflet. Communicate accessibility needs like ramps, lifts, or assistance directly to drivers. Enable drivers to view assigned rides and navigate efficiently.

How we built it

Frontend: React + Tailwind CSS for a fast, accessible user interface. Backend & Database: Supabase for authentication, storage, and real-time updates between riders and drivers. Maps & Location: Leaflet.js with OpenStreetMap tiles for live vehicle tracking. Hosting: Deployed on Netlify for quick CI/CD and public accessibility. Design: Figma mockups guided the user experience and accessibility standards. We simulated live driver movement using mock GPS data to demonstrate real-time functionality in our demo.

Challenges we ran into

Configuring real-time updates between multiple users using Supabase channels. Ensuring accessibility compliance while keeping the interface modern and minimal. Calibrating Leaflet’s live tracking to look smooth and realistic for our demo. Coordinating development under a 24-hour hackathon timeline with limited backend data.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Built a fully functional prototype in under 24 hours that integrates booking, tracking, and user preferences. Turned a real community problem into a tangible, tech-driven solution. Designed an accessible and inclusive UI that could be realistically adopted by local transit authorities. Received positive validation from peers and mentors who hadn’t realized how outdated para-transit booking still is.

What we learned

How to rapidly prototype with Supabase and manage real-time communication between client sessions. The importance of human-centered design — accessibility isn’t just a feature, it’s a mindset. How to align technical innovation with local impact, making something that directly benefits our own community. That small, thoughtful improvements in UX can lead to massive quality-of-life gains for users.

What's next for AbleLink

Integrate actual GPS feeds from Regina Transit to replace simulated data. Develop a mobile driver-side app for route navigation and accessibility confirmations. Pilot the system with local para-transit services to collect feedback and real usage data. Explore partnerships with universities, hospitals, and municipalities across Saskatchewan. Ultimately, we want to make independent mobility accessible to everyone - one city at a time.

Built With

• css
• leaflet.js
• supabase
• typescript