How Do Business Schools Welcome and Include Students with Disabilities? | The Example of HEC Paris

How Do Business Schools Welcome and Include Students with Disabilities? | The Example of HEC Paris

by | 29 Jan, 2021

Students training to be tomorrow's managers and entrepreneurs

How Do Business Schools Welcome and Include Students with Disabilities? | The Example of HEC Paris

Being ranked as one of the best business schools in the world, HEC Paris in France is committed to highlighting the diversity of its students, including students with disabilities. Thanks to Cécile Marty’s insight, disability referent at HEC Paris, we can have a look at all the actions put in place by this business school all along the academic careers of students and faculty staff. These actions aim at meeting the identified needs of students with disabilities and at the same time at training tomorrow’s leaders to favor diversity and inclusion in our society.

 

HEC Paris is a prestigious and world famous business school. Can you tell us about its politics towards students with disabilities?

The Disability Program for Learners for students with disabilities was officially launched in 2019. But a lot of initiatives were already in place on campus which means that we’ve mostly worked in coherence with students, candidates and graduates with disabilities concerning our actions.

Therefore, we decided to characterize this program according to students with disabilities’ classic academic careers, regardless of the chosen curriculum: before, during and after studying at our business school. (You can find more details on the Disability Program for Learners.)

Simultaneously, this issue being connected to medical secrecy, we’ve undertaken a necessary GDPR compliance (General Data Protection Regulation) launching an external communication campaign, a dedicated and intern web page and an Intranet page. 

The strong point of our actions focuses on raising disability awareness in our campus community. In order to succeed, we work closely with the disability referent dedicated to HEC Paris’ faculty staff and the student association on disability. We decided to concentrate on microawareness among our administrative body which deals with students, whether it concerns our admissions or academic affairs offices. The implicit idea is to enable students or candidates to feel comfortable enough to open a dialogue with the faculty member of their choosing. This whole network enables me, with the students’ consent, to start a constructive dialogue on the necessary pedagogical or extracurricular on-campus accommodations. Our medical center also plays a huge part in our program thanks to our doctors and nurses. They do a great job in conveying downward information to students in a difficult situation and upward information to the disability referents in order to make the adequate support easier.

More wide-ranging awareness actions also took place and will continue to do so in a near future in order to alert our students, tomorrow’s managers, on disability and inclusion. The goal is to provide them with the keys of comprehension and integration regarding disability.

 

Let’s say I have a disability, what would my course look like before and after my admission at HEC Paris?

The dedicated web page on our disability program enables any potential candidate to find practical information on the type of support we provide plus a phone number or an email address to start a personal and confidential dialogue with us. This way, we regularly receive candidates to talk about their application and lift the psychological barriers regarding their disability. We also decided not to ask questions on the potential situations of disabilities on our application platforms. Besides, information on disability profiles gathered by our BCE (Banque Commune d’Épreuves) remains confidential. Every candidate can have an open dialogue about the different disability profiles either on the platforms open to students on which we published practical and operational information or via the intermediary of our admissions offices. 

 

Would I benefit from any personalized support according to my disability profile?

We cannot speak in terms of personalized support. However, we provide each student with disabilities with the opportunity to confidentially and individually meet with a disability referent at the beginning of the academic year. This first meeting permits to establish a constructive dialogue. Different measures can be implemented (more time for exams, adapted pedagogical documents, a sign language interpreter, scholarships…) and new appointments can take place during the year depending on everybody’s needs and wishes. Throughout the year, we receive propositions regarding disabilities from our partners. All these propositions are systematically communicated to the students who declare to have a disability.

 

HEC Paris has an international branch. Is the course for students with disabilities the same wherever they study?

Indeed, HEC Paris has a branch in Doha, Qatar. The disability program also applies to students with disabilities who attend there. We can provide remote support.

 

What barriers do you encounter regarding disability on campus?

Whatever the context may be, it’s still difficult to talk about disability. We encounter the usual barriers. I still hear (although it’s less frequent) “But there aren’t any students with disabilities on campus.” The educational dimension is more important than never and I constantly remind people that only 2% of people with disabilities use wheelchairs and that 80% of the declared disabilities are not visible. We also encounter psychological barriers from potential candidates who fear that their disability will prevent them from being admitted to our business school. I keep reminding them that discrimination towards people with disabilities is punished by law and that all the energy they spend in counterbalancing the difficulties they meet regarding their disability actually represents a major asset for their application.

 

What’s your wish for 2021 and the following years to come?

I wish for this program to grow and lift all barriers. I wish an honest and open dialogue was put in place to make the academic careers of students with disabilities, both at HEC Paris and at all academic institutions, easier. I also wish for disability awareness on campuses to improve so that all students can turn into socially responsible managers and for students with disabilities to be more easily included in the professional world.

_________________________________

About HEC Paris

Specializing in education and research in management sciences, HEC Paris offers a complete and unique range of academic programs for the leaders of tomorrow: the Grande Ecole program, Specialized Masters and MSc, Summer School programs, the MBA, Executive MBA and TRIUM Global Executive MBA programs, the Ph.D. program and a wide range of programs for executives and managers.

Founded in 1881 by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, HEC Paris has a full-time faculty of 140 professors, 4,500 students and 8,000 managers in executive education programs every year.  

Read our article The Trailblazers of College Accessibility in the United States for more examples  of solutions on including students with disabilities.

Photo credits: © Aurélia Blanc

media

A group of students sitting on the grass at HEC Paris

The strong point of our actions focuses on raising disability awareness in our campus community. In order to succeed, we work closely with the disability referent dedicated to HEC Paris’ faculty staff and the student association on disability.

writer

Christine Pestel

Communications Manager

stay updated

Get the latest news about accessibility and the Smart City.

other articles for you

share our article!

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Share
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Share
okeenea digital Evelity

more articles

6 Tips to Communicate with a Blind or Visually Impaired Person

6 Tips to Communicate with a Blind or Visually Impaired Person

6 Tips to Communicate with a Blind or Visually Impaired PersonDo you feel uncomfortable, distraught, clumsy… when you see a blind person? No need to worry, we’ve made up a quick survival guide with 6 key points to make sure everything goes well. Before all, stay...

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People  For people with a visual impairment, accessing simple information can sometimes be difficult. How can a nonsighted person get their bearings and choose the best route to get to their destination? Or read a...

8 Clichés About Deaf People

8 Clichés About Deaf People

8 Clichés About Deaf People  Deaf people have long been marginalized. Sign language was even banned for decades. Today, deaf people want to live an ordinary life within society. Who are they? What are their needs and how can they feel welcomed within public...

NEVER miss the latest news about the Smart City.

Sign up now for our newsletter.

Unsubscribe in one click. The information collected is confidential and kept safe.

powered by okeenea

The French leading company

on the accessibility market.

ABOUT US

For more than 25 years, we have been developing architectural access solutions for buildings and streets. Everyday, we rethink today’s cities to transform them in smart cities accessible to everyone.

By creating solutions ever more tailored to the needs of people with disabilities, we push the limits, constantly improve the urban life and make the cities more enjoyable for the growing majority.

A World Tour of Best Practices for a Subway Truly Accessible to All | Summary of a French Study

A World Tour of Best Practices for a Subway Truly Accessible to All | Summary of a French Study

by | 22 Jan, 2021

The entrance of a subway station in Madrid

A World Tour of Best Practices for a Subway Truly Accessible to All | Summary of a French Study

Providing a safe and accessible service for all passengers is a major issue for all transit agencies throughout the world. That’s why, when we discovered the brilliant study by the French department’s accessibility branch on subway accessibility in the key cities around the world, it seemed essential to us to share it with you!

It is estimated that 30 to 40% of the population experience difficulties in using public transport. This means that accessibility is not restricted to people with disabilities, and even less to wheelchair users alone, contrary to what The Guardian suggested in its 2017 ranking of the most accessible subway networks. Since then, the French department’s accessibility branch published a study* which examines the accessibility of 42 subway located in 25 countries. This nuanced report discusses the concept of “accessible subway” and highlights the positive initiatives put in place to facilitate access to the subway for all those who encounter mobility limitations. We have produced a summary for you, supplemented with examples from our experience, because yes, we know subway accessibility like the back of our hands!

 

30 to 40% of the population facing barriers in accessing the subway

Taking the subway is more complex than it looks. This implies a chain of actions for which many travelers may encounter brakes or obstacles:

⊗ Preparing your route,

⊗ Obtaining real-time information about the correct functioning of accessibility equipment and any disturbances on the network,

⊗ Locating access to the subway station,

⊗ Going down into the station,

⊗ Obtaining a transport ticket,

⊗ Requesting information or communicating with staff,

⊗ Going through security gates,

⊗ Walking and finding your way inside the station to reach the right platform,

⊗ Waiting in safety until the arrival of the train,

⊗ Getting on board,

⊗ Finding a seat or support bar to maintain balance throughout the trip,

⊗ Getting off at the right station,

⊗ Walking and finding your way inside the station to reach your connection or the desired exit,

⊗ Going through the exit gates and

⊗ Going up towards the road.

Beyond people living with a physical, sensory, mental or psychological disability, many travelers encounter difficulties for one or more stages of the travel chain. According to various studies, they represent 30 to 40% of public transport users. These are the elderly, people with a temporary disability due to injury or illness, pregnant women, obese people, people of small stature, people who are illiterate or do not master the English language, people with young children or even those burdened with packages or luggage.

For more details on the difficulties encountered by subway users according to their disability and the solutions provided by the transit operators, we invite you to read our article:

How to Help People with Disabilities Get a Better Experience on the Subway?

 

An accessible subway, what is it?

The British daily The Guardian published in 2017 the ranking of 7 major subway systems in the world according to their accessibility level. Paris took last place behind Washington DC, Los Angeles, Tokyo, New York City, Barcelona and London. A very severe score for the French capital, which, despite the impossibility of making most of its metro stations accessible to wheelchair users, is doing its best to take into account the other disabilities on the Parisian metro system.

It is from this observation that the French department’s accessibility branch launched a study on the accessibility of 42 subway systems around the world. The data collected is uneven and does not allow for a ranking, which would be senseless. But this study questions the notion of “accessible subway system”.

1st lesson: physical accessibility for people in wheelchairs remains the top achievement for a subway system to claim to be “accessible”. This includes installing elevators, ramps, lowering floors, and reducing or eliminating gaps between trains and platforms. Then come the visual and audio information systems inside the trains which benefit everyone but even more so to people with visual or hearing disabilities. But overall accessibility to all disabilities requires attention to every detail throughout the travel chain. Thus, poorly thought out new equipment risks ruining all the efforts made upstream. 

2nd lesson: other measures exist but they are far from being generalized and little valued on the various communication media of subway systems. Improving visual signage, installing audio beacons, induction loops, accessible vending machines and entry gates, training staff and developing wayfinding applications adapted to different disabilities are just as important for successful accessibility.

 

Inaccessibility is not inevitable

The age of infrastructure is often mentioned to explain its inaccessibility. But the oldest subway systems are not equal in terms of accessibility. It appears that Paris comes bottom of the class with only 9 wheelchair accessible stations out of 303. Older subway systems do much better: London (1863), Boston (1897) or even Athens (1869). Other subway systems inaugurated before 1930 also perform well in terms of accessibility: Berlin (1902), Madrid (1919), Barcelona (1924) and Tokyo (1927). 

Although New York City subway system shows much better performance than the Paris metro, it remains among the lowest percentages of any major transit system in the world. Only 119 of 472 (25%) of all of the subway system’s stations are fully accessible to wheelchair users. In comparison, Boston’s MBTA subway and the Chicago “L”, which are as old or older, have more accessible subway stations. However, 70 more New York City subway stations should be accessible by 2024. This would allow one of every two to four stations on every line to be accessible, so that all non-accessible stops would be a maximum of two stops from an accessible station.

Most of the stations were built before wheelchair access was a requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Since then, elevators have been constructed in new stations and stations that required little modification to meet ADA standards have been upgraded. In addition, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) selected 100 “key stations” to be conformed to ADA requirements when they are being renovated.

According to the MTA’s definition, a fully accessible station must have the following facilities:

⊗ Elevators or ramps,

⊗ Handrails on ramps and stairs,

⊗ Large-print and tactile-braille signs,

⊗ Audio and visual information systems,

⊗ Accessible station booth windows,

⊗ Accessible MetroCard Vending Machines,

⊗ Accessible service entry gates,

⊗ Platform-edge warning strips,

⊗ Platform gap modifications or bridge plates to reduce or eliminate the gap between trains and platforms,

⊗ Telephones at an accessible height with volume control,

⊗ Accessible restrooms at stations with restrooms.

The MTA also provides training to its employees to better assist riders with disabilities. On the other hand, training is delivered to riders with disabilities themselves, their families, and mobility specialists.

 

Original initiatives to include all disabilities for a better subway accessibility

With a few exceptions such as Marseille, Rome or Beijing, subways built after 1970 are generally wheelchair accessible. In most stations, there are elevators, access ramps, widened doors and seats reserved for people with reduced mobility. Obstacles persist to board the trains. Human assistance may be necessary.

Other initiatives are emerging to facilitate travel, orientation and communication for other travelers with disabilities, whether visual, hearing, intellectual, psychological or cognitive. Far from being still generalized, they are nevertheless very interesting sources of inspiration for transit operators.

Adapted materials to plan a route according to one’s disability

Even more than for the general population, planning their itinerary is a crucial step for people with disabilities. Identifying their route and any difficulties, knowing the operating status of access facilities, all this requires appropriate tools. The first step is of course to make all digital media accessible, websites and mobile applications.

Digital Accessibility: Why? For Whom? How?

But paper based materials are not to be neglected. Thus, the London tube provides a collection of maps adapted to different disability situations: large print, tactile, audio, step-free maps and even tunnel maps for claustrophobic people.

In Paris and Toulouse, educational materials have been developed in the form of card games and other fun devices for people with intellectual disabilities to familiarize themselves with the network.

Public Transport: Accessibility Solutions, Also for the Intellectual Disability 

Audio beacons to locate entrances

Audio beacons allow blind or visually impaired people to locate entrances to subway stations thanks to the source of the sound. They are triggered a few meters away using a remote control or a smartphone application. The elevators of the Rennes metro in France have been equipped with audio beacons since it was built in 2002. Today, audio beacons can be found in Paris, Lyon, Prague, Helsinki and perhaps other cities as well.

Tactile guide paths to mark the routes

Guidance or directional tactile paving allows visually impaired people and anyone with orientation difficulties to get from one point to another without deviating. They are found on many subway systems such as Brussels, Berlin, Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Santiago de Chile or Tokyo. To provide effective guidance, these should preferably be coupled with audio signage or a smartphone wayfinding application.

Indoor guidance applications for smartphones

Despite the lack of a GPS signal inside subway stations, wayfinding applications adapted to different disabilities are gradually spreading. They make it possible to calculate a route in a closed area adapted to the various mobility limitations of the users. The Evelity solution is already installed in the Marseille metro.

The Smartphone: a Revolution for the Blind and Visually Impaired!

Vending machines adapted to all disabilities

Lowering vending machines so that they can be used by people in wheelchairs or short stature has become the rule on many subway networks. However, these machines often remain inaccessible to blind or visually impaired people, to people who are illiterate or do not speak the language of the country, or even to those with an intellectual disability. Thus, interfaces should be designed with all of these restrictions in mind. Text to speech is an option to be implemented, as in Paris or Barcelona.

Pictures, symbols and pictograms

In order to help people who are illiterate or have an intellectual disability to find their way around, some operators have designed signage which associates a distinct image with each station name. 

This work has already been carried out on the subway networks in Mexico City, Fukuoka in Japan, Recife in Brazil, and Toulouse in France.

Braille signs

International standards for elevators require button marking in Braille and prismatic-numbers, which is very useful for visually impaired people to select their floor. The information in Braille sometimes available on the platforms, as in Washington DC, Chicago or Santiago de Chile, would on the other hand have every interest in being replaced by audio information, much more universal. Indeed, Braille has three major drawbacks:

1. It is difficult to locate for a person who cannot see or has low vision;

2. Serious problems with cleanliness, when touching it, can risk spreading bacteria or viruses such as COVID-19;

3. The proportion of people able to read Braille remains very low.

Audio information addresses all people with visual impairments, but also intellectual or understanding difficulties.

Tactile maps

Tactile maps for the visually impaired can be found on some subway networks such as Paris, Brussels, New York City and Tokyo. For the same reasons as Braille information, these are not very appropriate. On the other hand, tactile maps on paper can be made available to users so that they can consult them in the comfort of their home or the premises of an association. These will allow them to better understand their environment and therefore to find their way more easily.

Staff training to provide adequate assistance

Despite the accessibility improvements, certain situations continue to require human assistance, for example in case of equipment failure or network disruption. This assistance is widely present in London, Paris, Brussels, New York City, or Saint Petersburg. And in order to be able to provide effective assistance, the staff concerned are specifically trained to support people with disabilities.

The French study from the department’s accessibility branch on subway ACCESSIBILITY IN MAJOR WORLDWIDE cities shows us that accessibility has generally improved a lot for people in wheelchairs but is still struggling to become widespread for other disabilities. In addition, access to information on available facilities and suitable route planners is sorely lacking. Hence the interest in surfing open data to develop digital solutions that meet everyone’s specific needs!

media

The entrance of a subway station in Paris

The British daily The Guardian published in 2017 the ranking of 7 major subway systems in the world according to their accessibility level. Paris took last place behind Washington DC, Los Angeles, Tokyo, New York City, Barcelona and London.

writer

Lise Wagner

Lise Wagner

Accessibility Expert

READ LISE'S BIO

stay updated

Get the latest news about accessibility and the Smart City.

other articles for you

share our article!

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Share
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Share

more articles

6 Tips to Communicate with a Blind or Visually Impaired Person

6 Tips to Communicate with a Blind or Visually Impaired Person

6 Tips to Communicate with a Blind or Visually Impaired PersonDo you feel uncomfortable, distraught, clumsy… when you see a blind person? No need to worry, we’ve made up a quick survival guide with 6 key points to make sure everything goes well. Before all, stay...

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People  For people with a visual impairment, accessing simple information can sometimes be difficult. How can a nonsighted person get their bearings and choose the best route to get to their destination? Or read a...

8 Clichés About Deaf People

8 Clichés About Deaf People

8 Clichés About Deaf People  Deaf people have long been marginalized. Sign language was even banned for decades. Today, deaf people want to live an ordinary life within society. Who are they? What are their needs and how can they feel welcomed within public...

NEVER miss the latest news about the Smart City.

Sign up now for our newsletter.

Unsubscribe in one click. The information collected is confidential and kept safe.

powered by okeenea

The French leading company

on the accessibility market.

ABOUT US

For more than 25 years, we have been developing architectural access solutions for buildings and streets. Everyday, we rethink today’s cities to transform them in smart cities accessible to everyone.

By creating solutions ever more tailored to the needs of people with disabilities, we push the limits, constantly improve the urban life and make the cities more enjoyable for the growing majority.

Creating an Accessible and Barrier-Free Society Through Inclusive Design: a Constant Renewal

Creating an Accessible and Barrier-Free Society Through Inclusive Design: a Constant Renewal

by | 04 Dec, 2020

Creating an Accessible and Barrier-Free Society Through Inclusive Design: a Constant Renewal

 

Le design inclusif joue un rôle majeur dans l’amélioration de l’accessibilité. Bien que ces deux concepts ne recouvrent pas exactement les mêmes idées, ils sont indéniablement liés par leur complémentarité. L’accessibilité consiste à supprimer les obstacles existants, tandis que le design inclusif consiste à créer des solutions parfaitement adaptées dès le départ aux besoins de différents profils de personnes : une personne à mobilité réduite pour qui il sera plus facile d’utiliser un ascenseur dans un centre commercial, ou une personne malvoyante qui a besoin d’une signalisation contrastée dans une station de métro pour se déplacer en toute autonomie, par exemple.

L’accessibilité peut donc être obtenue grâce à une conception inclusive et une approche centrée sur l’humain. Accorder la priorité aux personnes et se concentrer sur leurs besoins permet de répondre adéquatement et de favoriser leur inclusion dans la société.

Quoi de mieux qu’une société qui répond aux besoins de tous ses citoyens ? Le design inclusif offre aux villes un large éventail de possibilités pour créer une société accessible et sans barrières, tant au niveau des services qu’elles fournissent, comme les transports publics, que de l’architecture, avec ses bâtiments et ses parcs. Par ailleurs, la culture est l’un des premiers secteurs à avoir envisagé le design inclusif et montre la voie à suivre. 

Le ciel est la limite, comme le démontrent les exemples suivants d’accessibilité obtenue grâce à une conception inclusive !

Conception inclusive, conception universelle et accessibilité : un triptyque inévitable 

Afin de bien comprendre ce qu’englobe le design inclusif , concentrons-nous d’abord sur sa définition et celles du design universel et de l’accessibilité puisque les trois sont souvent étroitement liées.

⊗  Design inclusif : rendre un produit ou un service facilement accessible à plusieurs catégories d’utilisateurs. Il met l’accent sur l’expérience utilisateur afin de répondre aux besoins des catégories ciblées et de prendre en compte la diversité de la population.

Autrement dit, pour différents groupes d’utilisateurs, le design inclusif explore différentes solutions. Il prend également en compte les différentes cultures afin que les solutions puissent également s’appliquer aux touristes étrangers qui ne parlent pas la langue du pays visité. 

⊗  Conception universelle ou Design pour tous : elle consiste à proposer une solution unique adaptée aux besoins de tous. La conception universelle s’adresse ainsi à l’ensemble de la population plutôt qu’à quelques groupes de personnes afin de rendre les produits accessibles. Cependant, la conception universelle ne répond généralement qu’aux besoins de la majorité, de sorte que certains besoins restent insatisfaits. 

⊗  Accessibilité : supprimer les obstacles et adapter les solutions ou équipements afin que les utilisateurs handicapés puissent bénéficier de la même expérience que tout autre utilisateur, comme les lecteurs d’écran pour les personnes malvoyantes. L’accessibilité est avant tout une question d’aménagements. 

Comme vous pouvez le constater, il existe de légères différences entre ces concepts. Cependant, lorsqu’il est question de conception inclusive, il est évident qu’elle doit être liée à l’accessibilité. L’une va de pair.

Après tout, elles partagent un objectif commun, même si leurs méthodes et solutions différentes : permettre aux personnes handicapées d’être incluses dans la société et de bénéficier des mêmes services que tout le monde. 

Par conséquent, un élément aussi simple qu’une large entrée de bâtiment constitue une combinaison parfaite entre design inclusif et accessibilité ! Cela peut s’avérer extrêmement utile pour les personnes en fauteuil roulant et constitue la première étape pour rendre un lieu accessible. 

Ce type d’équipement est présent dans divers lieux, tels que les mairies, les universités et les grandes écoles , voire les aéroports . Dans les centres commerciaux par exemple, outre une large entrée avec portes automatiques, on trouve des ascenseurs, des escaliers mécaniques et des rampes permettant aux personnes à mobilité réduite de se déplacer facilement et de faire leurs courses.

Si les ascenseurs peuvent sembler une solution évidente pour faciliter l’accès aux personnes à mobilité réduite, les escaliers restent pertinents car ils permettent aux personnes âgées de faire de l’exercice sans qu’elles s’en rendent compte. De plus, les personnes malvoyantes n’ont pas à se soucier de trouver le bon bouton sur l’ascenseur.

Elles peuvent tous utiliser des escaliers accessibles équipés de rampes continues et de nez de marche antidérapants contrastés : un équipement facile à mettre en œuvre !

La conception inclusive et l’accessibilité sont véritablement complémentaires puisqu’elles servent le même objectif. 

Conception inclusive avec une approche centrée sur l’humain

Les personnes handicapées sont au cœur de la conception inclusive, car elle vise à répondre au mieux à leurs besoins. L’aménagement d’une large entrée pour les personnes en fauteuil roulant n’est qu’un début pour les architectes et les designers.

Pour rendre un lieu accessible , il doit être pensé en tenant compte des différents profils. Et pour cela, il faut collaborer étroitement avec les groupes de personnes handicapées.

Leur participation et leur implication sont essentielles pour garantir que les architectes, urbanistes et ingénieurs créent l’environnement idéal pour répondre à leurs besoins. La conception centrée sur l’humain, utilisée dans les normes ISO , consiste d’abord à identifier le problème, à analyser les données, puis à le conceptualiser afin de mettre en œuvre la solution appropriée. Différentes étapes sont alors nécessaires :

⊗  Observer les groupes d’utilisateurs ;

⊗  Analyser la recherche;

⊗  Communiquer avec les groupes d’utilisateurs sur la question ;

⊗  Proposer une solution ou un prototype ;

⊗  Retour d’information des groupes ;

⊗  Corriger les problèmes potentiels de la solution soulevés par les groupes d’utilisateurs jusqu’à sa mise au point. De nombreux échanges peuvent donc avoir lieu entre les groupes et les concepteurs.

Tout au long de ce processus d’analyse de la problématique des groupes d’usagers, l’empathie demeure essentielle. Après tout, architectes, urbanistes et ingénieurs conçoivent pour les humains. Ils doivent se mettre à la place de ceux qui sont habituellement invisibles et ignorés : les personnes handicapées. 

L’ Institute of Human Centered Design (IHCD) de Boston privilégie le design inclusif et universel afin de favoriser des projets répondant aux besoins d’un large éventail de personnes, notamment les personnes âgées pouvant avoir des difficultés à se déplacer ou à utiliser leurs mains en raison de l’arthrite, les personnes souffrant de troubles de l’apprentissage et de l’attention, les personnes autistes ou tout autre handicap.

En effet, l’IHCD a mis son expertise en matière d’accessibilité à disposition dès le début d’un projet de conception (villes, parcs, transports en commun) afin de garantir à toutes les catégories de personnes l’accès à une société sans obstacle, en appliquant une philosophie où chacun est écouté et valorisé.

Les personnes handicapées, comme les autres types de personnes, peuvent ainsi retrouver une certaine estime d’elles-mêmes et se sentir pleinement intégrées à la société. 

De plus, ce qui est utile à un groupe peut l’être aussi à un autre. Par exemple, l’utilisation de pictogrammes simples et clairs pour donner des informations de base, comme l’emplacement des ascenseurs ou des toilettes, aux personnes souffrant de troubles cognitifs est tout aussi efficace pour les personnes âgées ou les enfants.

Après tout, l’objectif est de diffuser des informations universelles grâce à une signalétique. 

Le parc olympique Queen Elizabeth, situé à l’est de Londres, représente une véritable réussite en matière de conception inclusive et d’approche centrée sur l’humain. Créé spécialement pour les Jeux olympiques et paralympiques de 2012, il avait pour ambition d’accueillir « les Jeux les plus accessibles de tous les temps » par la London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC).

C’était le cas à l’époque et il est toujours utilisé aujourd’hui pour accueillir le grand public. La LLDC a publié l’année dernière sesnormes de conception inclusive actualisées , décrivant les mises en œuvre au sein du parc, de ses sites et de ses environs.

Des toilettes accessibles aux personnes en fauteuil roulant aux chemins d’orientation pour les personnes malvoyantes, en passant par les espaces communs faciles à parcourir et les zones de confort pour les piétons, sans oublier les installations pour les chiens d’assistance, le parc offre un lieu sûr et une attraction pour un large public de tous âges.

Le sentiment d’appartenance et de communauté s’en trouve ainsi renforcé. Espérons que le parc inspirera d’autres à adopter les mêmes normes de conception inclusive !

À plus grande échelle, Londres continue de s’intéresser à la conception inclusive. La ville prévoit de faire du Square Mile , le quartier financier, un environnement accessible pour ses citoyens handicapés et ses aînés. Londres est déterminée à éliminer tous les obstacles pour créer une société inclusive !

Comme nous l’avons expliqué dans notre article « Le handicap, moteur d’innovation pour la ville intelligente » , l’accessibilité et l’inclusion représentent un défi pour toutes les villes qui souhaitent revendiquer le statut de ville intelligente.  

Innover en adoptant une approche centrée sur l’humain peut donner naissance à des créations surprenantes. Le monde entier a dû s’adapter à la pandémie actuelle, et le port du masque est devenu essentiel pour nous protéger et protéger les autres.

Cependant, cette situation a isolé de nombreuses personnes, notamment les personnes sourdes et malentendantes, qui ont du mal à communiquer. Voyant leur interlocuteur porter un masque pour couvrir leur visage, les personnes sourdes ou malentendantes ne peuvent plus lire sur leurs lèvres ni voir leurs expressions faciales pour les aider à comprendre la situation.

Heureusement, des entreprises ou de simples citoyens se sont mobilisés pour fabriquer des masques transparents. Une solution simple et inclusive qui permet aux personnes sourdes de lire sur les lèvres et de communiquer !

Un autre exemple d’innovation répondant aux besoins de groupes de personnes est la création de salles sensorielles : un espace dédié aux personnes atteintes de troubles cognitifs, d’autisme ou même de démence.

Elles y trouvent un environnement calme et sécurisé, loin de toute situation potentiellement stressante. La ville de Londres offre une nouvelle fois un bel exemple d’inclusion avec la salle sensorielle de l’aéroport d’Heathrow. Des chercheurs ont établi desrecommandations démontrant les bienfaits thérapeutiques d’une salle sensorielle sur les patients atteints de démence grâce à une stimulation sensorielle douce.

Les salles sensorielles peuvent également offrir un environnement insonorisé aux personnes autistes, sensibles au bruit et ayant besoin d’un endroit calme pour se détendre. C’est le cas de celle duUS Bank Stadium de Minneapolis, comme nous l’avons vu dans notre article « Les directives pour l’accessibilité des stades : offrir une expérience agréable aux personnes handicapées » .

Concevoir une salle avec un éclairage tamisé, différents types d’espaces pour le calme, ou même une ambiance ludique avec des peluches, exige une analyse précise des catégories de personnes qui y seront accueillies. 

Prendre en compte les besoins de plusieurs groupes de personnes est un élément essentiel du design inclusif. Cela permet d’améliorer les solutions pour créer un environnement accessible à tous, quel que soit l’environnement. C’est là toute la beauté du design inclusif ! 

Résoudre le défi de la mobilité : une société inclusive, un pied à la fois 

La mobilité représente un défi majeur pour les personnes handicapées au quotidien. Dans notre article « Comment les aveugles traversent-ils la route en toute sécurité ? » , nous avions déjà insisté sur l’importance de la mobilité des personnes malvoyantes. 

Les feux piétons accessibles (FPA) restent la meilleure solution pour traverser la rue en toute sécurité. Cependant, la COVID-19 a mis en évidence leurs limites : l’utilisation du bouton-poussoir aux États-Unis et dans d’autres pays peut mettre en danger la vie des personnes aveugles.

En effet, il suffit d’appuyer sur le bouton pour activer le FPA et parcourir la rue. Malheureusement, il a été prouvé que le virus pouvait également se propager sur des surfaces, rendant les déplacements difficiles et dangereux pour les personnes aveugles ou malvoyantes. Notre article « Comment les feux piétons accessibles peuvent-ils devenir adaptés à la COVID-19 ? » s’est penché sur cette question et a présenté l’appareil connecté aBeacon comme une solution adéquate.  

Ce système de signalisation intelligent innovant peut être activé à la demande avec une télécommande ou un smartphone , évitant ainsi à l’utilisateur de toucher le poteau. Conçu par Okeenea , le dispositif aBeacon s’installe facilement sur les feux de circulation pour diffuser des informations sonores et créer un couloir sonore guidant l’utilisateur. Un parfait exemple de design inclusif au service des groupes de personnes ! Une société inclusive ne laisse personne de côté ! 

L’entreprise française Okeenea innove sans cesse pour permettre aux personnes malvoyantes de localiser un bâtiment ou une entrée de métro grâce à ses balises audio NAVIGUEO+ HIFI . Une fois activées, leurs messages permettent de retrouver l’emplacement exact du point d’intérêt.

Tout comme les balises aBeacon, ces balises audio s’activent à la demande avec une télécommande ou un smartphone, permettant ainsi aux utilisateurs de disposer du même appareil pour deux solutions différentes. Deux solutions bien pensées, centrées sur les besoins des utilisateurs pour leur simplifier la vie !

Bien sûr, trouver l’entrée d’un bâtiment est la première étape, mais l’accessibilité intérieure est également importante. Nous avons vu précédemment que les bâtiments comme les centres commerciaux peuvent être équipés de différents types d’équipements, mais les personnes handicapées doivent généralement anticiper leurs déplacements et les préparer au mieux afin d’éviter toute difficulté.

Comment leur permettre de se déplacer spontanément et d’explorer un nouveau lieu ?Evelity propose une solution simple et originale : une application d’orientation intérieure spécialement conçue pour les personnes handicapées. De plus en plus d’applications sont créées pour les personnes handicapées physiques , aveugles, malvoyantes , sourdes ou malentendantes , afin de les aider dans leur quotidien. 

Evelity est une application ingénieuse qui aide les personnes malvoyantes à s’orienter grâce à des instructions audio avec VoiceOver ou TalkBack, ou les personnes à mobilité réduite grâce à des itinéraires optimisés. L’utilisateur peut configurer l’application en fonction de son profil. Evelity peut guider les utilisateurs dans tous types de lieux : centres commerciaux, universités, écoles supérieures, hôpitaux, réseaux de transport comme le métro et les gares, bureaux, musées et bien plus encore. 

Afin de proposer une solution parfaitement adaptée aux besoins de ses différents utilisateurs, l’équipe de conception d‘Evelity a travaillé en étroite collaboration avec des groupes de test dès le début, selon les étapes expliquées précédemment. Cela a toujours été l’un des principes majeurs de l’équipe, comme l’explique la designer de services Marie-Charlotte Moret dans son interview : « Adopter une approche design pour placer l’humain au cœur des nouveaux services de mobilité » . L’empathie est donc une valeur essentielle lors de la conception d’une solution pour la mobilité des personnes en situation de handicap. 

L’engagement indéniable du monde culturel pour le développement du design inclusif

S’il est un domaine qui a toujours interrogé la question de l’accessibilité et du confort des visiteurs, c’est bien celui de la culture. Comment les visiteurs aveugles ou malvoyants peuvent-ils appréhender les peintures d’un musée ? Les visiteurs en fauteuil roulant peuvent-ils accéder facilement aux galeries ?

Tactile Studio , agence spécialisée dans le design inclusif pour la promotion des arts auprès de tous, crée des solutions adaptées et innovantes qui répondent à la fois à l’esthétique du lieu et aux besoins des visiteurs. Des institutions culturelles de renommée mondiale font appel à cette agence pour permettre à tous les publics de profiter de la culture et des arts, comme le musée d’Orsay à Paris, qui a mis en place une exploration tactile et multisensorielle de L’Atelier du peintre , un tableau de Gustave Courbet. Tactile Studio a créé un design spécifique du tableau afin que les visiteurs malvoyants puissent toucher les couches mises en valeur.

Une audiodescription du tableau a également été proposée pour permettre aux émotions de se transmettre par différents canaux et sens. Une immersion totale pour comprendre et apprécier facilement une œuvre d’art !

Le relief et l’expérience tactile ne sont pas les seules solutions mises en place par l’agence de design. La technologie peut en effet aider les visiteurs à exploiter des peintures ou des photographies. Le musée du Louvre Abu Dhabi a opté pour une solution numérique pour son exposition « Photographies : un album des débuts du monde 1842-1896 » afin d’expliquer la pertinence de ces photographies sur les plans technique et culturel. Tactile Studio a créé des animations interactives, des interfaces graphiques et une narration pour les supports numériques non tactiles. Une approche ludique de l’art !

Le Guggenheim de New York est un excellent exemple d’accessibilité grâce à une conception inclusive, car il s’adresse à différents profils grâce à des solutions adaptées. Même son bâtiment cylindrique s’avère facilement accessible : les visiteurs commencent leur visite par le haut et descendent progressivement grâce à sa rampe en rotonde légèrement inclinée pour accéder aux expositions. Un moyen simple pour les visiteurs en fauteuil roulant de se déplacer dans le musée s’ils ne souhaitent pas utiliser les ascenseurs. 

Cependant, le Guggenheim et sa rotonde offrent davantage de solutions répondant aux besoins de différents profils :

Visiteurs en fauteuil roulantFauteuils roulants standard gratuits
Places assises accessibles
Visiteurs malvoyantsDescriptions verbales par des professionnels 
Visiteurs malentendantsInterprétation en langue des signes américaine (ASL)
Dispositifs d’écoute assistée
Visiteurs souffrant de troubles du traitement sensorielUn guide narratif social pour savoir à quoi s’attendre lors de la visite
Endroits calmes

Grâce au design inclusif, l’accès à la culture est possible et peut prendre de multiples formes. Les visiteurs en situation de handicap bénéficient d’innovations infinies pour partager la même expérience que n’importe quel visiteur.

Un renouvellement constant est donc nécessaire pour garantir à tous l’accès à la culture. La recherche s’avère essentielle au design inclusif, c’est pourquoi Access Smithsonian , l’Institute for Human Centered Design et MuseWeb ont collaboré à l’élaboration d’un guide sur les Interactifs Numériques Inclusives : Bonnes Pratiques et Recherche . 

Ce guide est un incontournable pour toute personne impliquée dans le design inclusif et sa mise en œuvre dans le monde culturel. Il fournit des exemples détaillés d’études de cas dans le but de constamment repenser et reconsidérer les pratiques actuelles pour favoriser l’innovation. 

Comme nous le constatons, créer une société accessible et sans obstacles grâce à une conception inclusive est possible dans de nombreux domaines. Les défis à relever ne font qu’accroître la nécessité de se renouveler constamment pour réfléchir et repenser les solutions. L’accessibilité est possible grâce à des solutions innovantes ! Ensemble, construisons un monde inclusif ! 

media

Inclusive design and accessibility both share a common goal even though their methods and solutions differ: enabling people with disabilities to be included in society and to enjoy the same services as anybody.

writer

Carole Martinez

Carole Martinez

Content Manager

READ CAROLE'S BIO

stay updated

Get the latest news about accessibility and the Smart City.

other articles for you

share our article!

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Share
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Share

more articles

6 Tips to Communicate with a Blind or Visually Impaired Person

6 Tips to Communicate with a Blind or Visually Impaired Person

6 Tips to Communicate with a Blind or Visually Impaired PersonDo you feel uncomfortable, distraught, clumsy… when you see a blind person? No need to worry, we’ve made up a quick survival guide with 6 key points to make sure everything goes well. Before all, stay...

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People  For people with a visual impairment, accessing simple information can sometimes be difficult. How can a nonsighted person get their bearings and choose the best route to get to their destination? Or read a...

8 Clichés About Deaf People

8 Clichés About Deaf People

8 Clichés About Deaf People  Deaf people have long been marginalized. Sign language was even banned for decades. Today, deaf people want to live an ordinary life within society. Who are they? What are their needs and how can they feel welcomed within public...

NEVER miss the latest news about the Smart City.

Sign up now for our newsletter.

Unsubscribe in one click. The information collected is confidential and kept safe.

powered by okeenea

The French leading company

on the accessibility market.

ABOUT US

For more than 25 years, we have been developing architectural access solutions for buildings and streets. Everyday, we rethink today’s cities to transform them in smart cities accessible to everyone.

By creating solutions ever more tailored to the needs of people with disabilities, we push the limits, constantly improve the urban life and make the cities more enjoyable for the growing majority.

How Cities in North America Communicate Efficiently about Accessible Pedestrian Signals: Good Examples to Follow

How Cities in North America Communicate Efficiently about Accessible Pedestrian Signals: Good Examples to Follow

by | 06 Nov, 2020

How Cities in North America Communicate Efficiently About Accessible Pedestrian Signals: Good Examples to Follow

 

You’ve invested thousands of dollars in the installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS). It’s now time to make it known to those primarily concerned: blind and visually impaired people who are eagerly waiting for APS to gain more autonomy in their trips. How can you do it? What type of information is it necessary to transmit? Which channels can you use? In this article, you’ll find the methods chosen by cities in the United States and Canada which have answered the issue head on. 

Accessible Pedestrian Signals (also known as audible pedestrian signals) favor the mobility and the autonomy of blind or visually impaired pedestrians. Indeed, thanks to audible and vibrotactile indications, they know exactly when they can safely cross the road enabling them to get around in the city in a spontaneous way. As well as anybody else, blind or visually impaired people aspire to fully enjoy their city. No matter what their size is, cities have to make their public roads accessible implementing APS for pedestrians with a visual impairment. It’s an obligation defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 for the US and the Canadian Human Rights Act of 1985 for its neighbor. 

Let’s take a glance at solutions undertaken by cities which have already positively apprehended the issue!

 

Public road accessibility: efficiently informing pedestrians with a visual impairment

For blind or visually impaired people, getting around means doing some research beforehand in order to correctly apprehend a place or a route. Where exactly is the building entrance located? Where is the nearest subway station? Besides, is it an accessible subway station? This process requires preparation to find on the Internet all the necessary information so that they can have a safe and serene trip. 

The commitment of cities towards their blind or visually impaired citizens

The Internet has demystified information thanks to a digital accessibility that’s more and more innovative. Thus it’s easy for people with a visual impairment to surf online. They can know the number of APS implemented in their city plus their exact location. New York City, the largest city in the U.S., provides information on Accessible Pedestrian Signals directly on its Department of Transportation website. Any concerned citizen can download the list of intersections equipped with APS and the 2019 report on the status of the APS program. With just a few clicks, blind or visually impaired pedestrians can know which parts of the five boroughs they can freely explore.

At the end of 2018, New York City had equipped 371 intersections with Accessible Pedestrian Signals. This amount was possible by implementing APS on 75 intersections each year but for 2019 and 2020, it was decided to increase their number to 150. Meaning that the installations of APS at intersections have doubled and their cost too. Thus in 2019, the city spent $9,675,000 to equip 150 intersections according to different criteria established by laws and regulations and implemented by city engineers. These data are in open access for the public and involved city planners in an annual report of the state of accessibility in New York City. In our article Everything You Need to Know about Accessible Pedestrian Signals Regulation in New York City, we had already explained which guidelines city engineers follow regarding the features of APS and their installation.

The Big Apple doesn’t limit itself to the use of regular APS with pushbuttons but also focuses on innovative technology with aBeacon developed by Okeenea Tech. Indeed, aBeacon was the winner of the Call for Innovations of the New York City Department of Transportation: it’s a connected APS with on demand activation. Blind or visually impaired pedestrians just have to use a remote control or the app MyMoveo to activate a sound message telling them when to cross the street safely. In a world where COVID-19 can be spread everywhere, including on surfaces, having a perfectly contactless APS enables pedestrians to be safe. This type of APS is responsive to COVID-19. In this particular context, pushbuttons, which can sometimes be difficult to find on a pole for users with a visual impairment, do have their limits… The device aBeacon is currently in test in a junction in the city. Not only does New York City favors inclusive mobility but also innovates using a technology that can make crossing the street safe for all pedestrians during a pandemic.

Although no specific information or list can be found on the Department of Transportation for the city of Los Angeles, it’s not the case for San Francisco: their Municipal Transportation Agency website provides an updated list of the 305 intersections equipped with Accessible Pedestrian Signals that also contains the 80 intersections that will be equipped with APS in a near future. A complete and transparent communication that benefits all citizens with a visual impairment who want to know exactly what their city is doing to improve their mobility! Pedestrian accessibility in the Fog City can only but improve as previously demonstrated in our article We Need to Talk about Pedestrian’s Crossing Accessibility of San Francisco.

Another major U.S. city that bets on rising its number of APS installed on intersections is Chicago. In 2019, the Windy City had only equipped 11 signalized intersections with APS, a very low number considering around 258,900 inhabitants of Illinois have a visual impairment. Consequently, last year Mayor Lighfoot announced the installation of 100 new Accessible Pedestrian Signals in the following two years. Chicago is ready to make an effort and introduces its whole program to install new APS on the city website with the proposed locations listed and in open access to any concerned citizen. For this pilot project, the city worked closely with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) and the Chicago Department of Transportation and displayed at the public meeting open house photographs of the APS that will be installed. Proof that Chicago is set on improving pedestrian accessibility.

APS in Canada are similar to those in the United States since they are activated with a pushbutton. Following the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act of 2005 (AODA), Accessible Pedestrian Signals in the state of Ontario need to be complied to certain regulations. Toronto provides the list of the 999 intersections equipped with Accessible Pedestrian Signals. We had already focused on the city’s accessibility for blind or visually impaired pedestrians in our article How Do Blind People of Toronto Cross the Street Safely?

The 176 intersections of Ottawa equipped with APS are also available online and listed by the city but the need for more APS is crucial to improve the mobility of its 50,000 blind citizens as shown in our infographic.

The cities of Canada make a point in providing its citizens with a visual impairment all the necessary information so that they know which parts of their city they can explore. Accessible Pedestrian Signals enable blind or visually impaired to gain more autonomy and a freedom of movement!

The ultimate guide to accessible pedestrian signals. I want it!

Open data resources: a new opportunity for cities

Information regarding the locations of Accessible Pedestrian Signals can also be deployed through open data. Indeed, open data represents a great opportunity for cities to gather all types of updated information for all parties concerned in city planning whether they are engineers, designers, operators, public or private service providers or just regular citizens who want to be involved in their city.

When Canadian cities have understood and mastered this type of resources to list APS as Toronto and Montreal do, American cities unfortunately don’t gather information on their open data websites failing to see that locating APS in their city is essential for the mobility of blind or visually impaired pedestrians.

Using open data resources enables Internet users to have access to regularly updated information with just a few clicks!

 

Organizations: efficient intermediaries in the field

Organizations play a central role in providing the right information to people with a visual impairment who may not know how to access it. This happens to be the case for the blind or visually impaired inhabitants of Montreal thanks to the RAAMM organization (Regroupement des aveugles et amblyopes du Montréal métropolitain) that lists the 209 intersections that are equipped with APS.

For New York City, the organization PASS (Pedestrians for Accessible and Safe Streets) is a major actor that has its say concerning the installation of APS. Not only does it contain the link to the list of the locations of APS provided by the NYCDOT but it also works closely with the city’s legislators and officials including the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) to identify intersections where the implementation of APS would be best suited for blind or visually impaired pedestrians.

Citizens can thus directly be involved in their city planning. In North America, people can request online the installation of APS in an intersection they use. Their request will then be studied by city engineers and put on the list if the need is valid. Different criteria need to be matched in order for an APS to be installed. In the United States, the request is done through the city’s Department of Transportation: users can write to the commissioner via an online form. It’s really easy for citizens to actively participate in their city life!

 

The Vision Zero plan: another way for cities to be more inclusive

The Vision Zero approach aims at improving road safety and reducing the number of accidents by focusing on the responsibility of road designers and not its users’. Therefore, it’s up to road designers to create a safe environment for all users (cyclists, pedestrians, car drivers). All the major cities of North America we mentioned implement this plan at various degrees according to their needs and their infrastructures. 

Vision Zero measures consist in:

⊗ Reducing speed limit for cars;

⊗ Creating safe bike lanes where they are necessary;

⊗ Improving lighting;

⊗ Installing Accessible Pedestrian Signals on traffic lights;

⊗ Increasing the duration of the crossing for people with reduced mobility…

Every profile is scrutinized and considered so that road safety affects every one of them.

New York City has implemented a Vision Zero action plan for 6 years now and has issued a report showing the efficiency of their actions: last year was the second safest year since pedestrian deaths reduced by 33%. Vision Zero has become a priority for the Big Apple which is already reaping the benefits of its actions!

For Toronto, reducing pedestrian injuries means focusing on installing more Accessible Pedestrian Signals for blind or visually impaired people. This year, the city has already equipped 46 intersections as its target is to reach 66 intersections. Their Vision Zero initiative prioritizes pedestrians with a visual impairment, an approach we can all but salute!

Pedestrian accessibility represents an important issue for cities. Indeed, making sure that everybody can cross the street safely favors inclusivity. The Smart City keeps evolving to improve the mobility of blind or visually impaired pedestrians and this goes through the implementation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals. It’s up to cities to provide accurate information to their citizens.

 

If you liked this article, you’ll also like other articles focused on Accessible Pedestrian Signals:

Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS): a Century of Change

How Do the Blind Safely Cross the Road?

media

The Big Apple doesn’t limit itself to the use of regular APS with pushbuttons but also focuses on innovative technology with aBeacon developed by Okeenea Tech (…) the winner of the Call for Innovations of the New York City Department of Transportation.

writer

Carole Martinez

Carole Martinez

Content Manager

READ CAROLE'S BIO

stay updated

Get the latest news about accessibility and the Smart City.

other articles for you

share our article!

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Share
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Share

more articles

6 Tips to Communicate with a Blind or Visually Impaired Person

6 Tips to Communicate with a Blind or Visually Impaired Person

6 Tips to Communicate with a Blind or Visually Impaired PersonDo you feel uncomfortable, distraught, clumsy… when you see a blind person? No need to worry, we’ve made up a quick survival guide with 6 key points to make sure everything goes well. Before all, stay...

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People  For people with a visual impairment, accessing simple information can sometimes be difficult. How can a nonsighted person get their bearings and choose the best route to get to their destination? Or read a...

8 Clichés About Deaf People

8 Clichés About Deaf People

8 Clichés About Deaf People  Deaf people have long been marginalized. Sign language was even banned for decades. Today, deaf people want to live an ordinary life within society. Who are they? What are their needs and how can they feel welcomed within public...

NEVER miss the latest news about the Smart City.

Sign up now for our newsletter.

Unsubscribe in one click. The information collected is confidential and kept safe.

powered by okeenea

The French leading company

on the accessibility market.

ABOUT US

For more than 25 years, we have been developing architectural access solutions for buildings and streets. Everyday, we rethink today’s cities to transform them in smart cities accessible to everyone.

By creating solutions ever more tailored to the needs of people with disabilities, we push the limits, constantly improve the urban life and make the cities more enjoyable for the growing majority.

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People

by | 30 Oct, 2020

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People

 

For people with a visual impairment, accessing simple information can sometimes be difficult. How can a nonsighted person get their bearings and choose the best route to get to their destination? Or read a document that’s not available in braille? Answer an email from a co-worker? Fortunately, technology keeps innovating: a lot of apps are specifically designed to help blind or visually impaired people in their everyday lives.

Indeed, 89% of them have a smartphone, a tool that truly revolutionizes their lives. If they can gain more autonomy today, it’s thanks to features that are more advanced and accessible to the general public or thanks to apps that are specially designed for them. Blind or visually impaired people who find it restrictive and stressing to get around can now be more serene.

Let’s explore the apps used by blind or visually impaired people to gain more autonomy in their everyday lives!

VoiceOver

VoiceOver is a screen reader that’s integrated into iPhones that, as its name indicates, enunciates emails or other textual messages aloud. It’s up to the user to choose the speaking rate and the volume.

Not to forget that braille also remains an option for those who have a braille keyboard to connect to the smartphone or who just want to write in braille directly on the screen of their iPhone.

VoiceOver also describes all the elements on the screen such as apps icons, the battery level and even in part images thanks to artificial intelligence. All the information is thus accessible!

Artificial Intelligence and Accessibility: Examples of a Technology That Serves People with Disabilities

TalkBack

Android smartphones also have a similar screen reader with TalkBack. It follows the same guideline as for iPhones: reading textual elements aloud, exploring the screen, using braille with BrailleBack… Everything is set for an optimal and smooth navigation!

Siri

Directly integrated into iPhones, Siri is an easy-to-use vocal assistant. For blind or visually impaired people, for whom finding and clicking on the right button can be difficult, using a voice control enables them to save time!

They just need to ask Siri to call a contact, to send a dictated text message and everything is therefore easier!

Google Assistant

Also activated by voice control, Google Assistant has the same functionality as Siri. The user totally controls their smartphone according to their needs: sending an email, setting up an alarm, managing their schedule…

Available on both Android and iOS

Google Maps

It’s one of the most popular GPS navigation apps. Being able to anticipate their route is essential for blind and visually impaired people. And this also applies for other types of profiles in general since people with disabilities use 30% more the GPS on their smartphone than the rest of the population. (Find out all the facts and figures concerning their use of smartphones in our infographic.)

Google Maps enables users to have access to all the real-time traffic information which is ideal when choosing the right means of public transportation!

The app even provides a new feature called “Accessible Places” that enables users to even more apprehend their environment thanks to information concerning the seating plan of a restaurant, the exact location of a building entrance…

The app provides precious help for blind and visually impaired people to serenely get around!

Available on both Android and iOS

Moovit

For those who are used to taking public transportation, this app lists all the possible means of transportation, their itineraries, their timetables and other information on real-time traffic.

The app even indicates the users the names of stops while on the bus, the tram or the subway. This proves to be essential for blind or visually impaired people when voice announcements aren’t activated.

Available on both Android and iOS

Evelity

Developed by Okeenea Digital, this app is the first indoor wayfinding solution for people with a visual impairment to navigate in complex venues such as museums or universities! Evelity works like a GPS.

Compatible with VoiceOver and TalkBack, the app provides audio instructions to blind and visually impaired people to guide them step by step. People with disabilities can easily find the reception desk or the classroom without needing to know the premises in advance.

Evelity is currently being tested at the Jay Street-MetroTech subway station in New York City! 

Other places in France have been equipped with this app to guide blind and visually impaired people: the metro network of Marseilles, the LUMA Foundation and a medical university in Lyon.

Available on both Android and iOS

MyMoveo

We’re once again on the theme of mobility with MyMoveo developed by Okeenea Tech. This app enables blind or visually impaired users to activate connected Accessible Pedestrian Signals aBeacon to know when the pedestrian signal is green and thus safely cross the street.

Users can even use the app to activate the audio beacons NAVIGUEO+ HIFI which can locate points of interest such as the entrances of a public building or a subway station.

Available on both Android and iOS, an update is coming! 

Be My Eyes

An app with which users can ask the help of sighted users in order to match their clothes or to know the expiry date of a product. Thanks to an audio-video connexion, users can easily get in touch. 

Available on both Android and iOS

Aira

Aira works in the same way as Be My Eyes since it connects nonsighted people with sighted ones to help them in various tasks such as finding the gate of an airport.

What sets this app apart is that the sighted users, called agents, are specifically trained to assist blind or visually impaired users referred to as Explorers. 

Although the app can be downloaded for free, users are charged according to the different plans and services Aira provides. Depending on the formula they choose and their needs, the cost can thus be high.

Available on both Android and iOS

Seeing AI

A multipurpose app that permits to read and describe all types of documents placed under the smartphone camera such as banknotes or product barcodes.

Seeing AI even recognizes images, colors and faces and thus gives details on people’s emotions. 

Apps such as Seeing AI are truly groundbreaking for blind and visually impaired people who can still see their environment in a different way.

Available on iOS

Lookout

Lookout is the equivalent app of Seeing AI on Android. The user just has to activate their smartphone camera so that Lookout can identify banknotes, objects… Thanks to its Quick Read Mode, the app skims through a text which is ideal when sorting the mail for example.

An app that enables blind and visually impaired people to simplify their everyday tasks and to save time!

Available on Android

 

We can see that blind or visually impaired people can use a lot of apps to improve their autonomy especially concerning their mobility.

If you want to know more about people with a visual impairment, you can read our articles:

8 Key Points to Ensure Accessibility for Customers with a Vision Disabilities at Public Venues

6 Tips to Communicate with a Blind or Visually Impaired Person

How Do the Blind Safely Cross the Road?

Updated on March 29th, 2023 / Published on October 30th, 2020

 

media

The app Evelity is the first indoor wayfinding solution for people with a visual impairment to navigate in complex venues such as museums or universities! It works like a GPS.

writer

Carole Martinez

Carole Martinez

Content Manager

READ CAROLE'S BIO

stay updated

Get the latest news about accessibility and the Smart City.

other articles for you

share our article!

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Share
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Share
Evelity, the first wayfinding solution for all types of disabilities in public and private facilities

more articles

6 Tips to Communicate with a Blind or Visually Impaired Person

6 Tips to Communicate with a Blind or Visually Impaired Person

6 Tips to Communicate with a Blind or Visually Impaired PersonDo you feel uncomfortable, distraught, clumsy… when you see a blind person? No need to worry, we’ve made up a quick survival guide with 6 key points to make sure everything goes well. Before all, stay...

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People

12 Must-Have Apps for Blind or Visually Impaired People  For people with a visual impairment, accessing simple information can sometimes be difficult. How can a nonsighted person get their bearings and choose the best route to get to their destination? Or read a...

8 Clichés About Deaf People

8 Clichés About Deaf People

8 Clichés About Deaf People  Deaf people have long been marginalized. Sign language was even banned for decades. Today, deaf people want to live an ordinary life within society. Who are they? What are their needs and how can they feel welcomed within public...

NEVER miss the latest news about the Smart City.

Sign up now for our newsletter.

Unsubscribe in one click. The information collected is confidential and kept safe.

powered by okeenea

The French leading company

on the accessibility market.

ABOUT US

For more than 25 years, we have been developing architectural access solutions for buildings and streets. Everyday, we rethink today’s cities to transform them in smart cities accessible to everyone.

By creating solutions ever more tailored to the needs of people with disabilities, we push the limits, constantly improve the urban life and make the cities more enjoyable for the growing majority.