Accessibility App for Persons with Visual Impairment Launched in US

August 23, 2018

US company RightHear has developed a smartphone solution to help make public buildings fully accessible to those with visual impairments and has launched it in the US.

The system uses Bluetooth beacons to provide users with real time voice cues via the use of an app. This includes information about their own location, alongside descriptions of their immediate environment.

The beacons are installed by building staff themselves – in consultation with the company –, who stick them up on the wall. The system is controlled through an administrator dashboard, with the user notified whenever they enter a 'RightHear-enabled zone.'

Speaking of the solution, company CEO Idan Meir said: "Using RightHear, blind and visually impaired persons have full access and full orientation in public buildings, giving them the ability to be independent. [At the same time] public venues and facilities will benefit from increased numbers of visitors, including blind and visually impaired persons."

The RightHear system has already been widely deployed in Israel.

Source: Land Mobile