Accessible Environmental Information Application for Individuals with Visual Impairments

This project develops an Accessible Environmental Information (AEI) application for the iPhone with Voice Over. Despite many technological breakthroughs, it remains difficult for people with visual impairments to navigate indoor spaces independently. Finding one’s way inside a building can often result in fear, a sense of dependence, frustration, reluctance to leave one’s home or known routes, and a consequent withdrawal from major life participation in work, family, and community. The AEI application provides orientation and location information indoors allowing users to explore and navigate indoor spaces such as malls, airports, conference venues, large public facilities, and sporting venues. Project objectives include: (1) Evaluating Bluetooth beacon technology, (2) developing the AEI application for iPhone for locating Bluetooth beacons, and (3) testing and analyzing data of AEI in real-world situations. The goal is for the AEI application to detect Bluetooth beacons in the user’s vicinity triggering sign and location information from a database on the user’s smartphone. Further research will build upon information and user feedback to broaden the AEI application to allow users to select informational preference, and include other smartphone devices and applications leading to information access and greater independence in indoor spaces.