Two Architects with Vision Loss Unveil Technology for Accessible Orientation and Operation Information

PLANO, Texas, Nov. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- WayAround^®, the smart assistant for people with vision loss that gives on-demand details about everyday things, today debuted WayAround for Public Spaces at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Alexandria, Virginia. WayAround for Public Spaces uses smart tags placed at key locations in the built environment. WayTags^® work with a mobile app for iOS or Android to provide accessible audio information describing the immediate surroundings.

WayAround for Public Spaces compliments navigation solutions by providing detailed orientation information, including room layout, available features and how they operate, and emergency information.

"There are lots of visual cues that sighted people use to orient themselves to a new space, yet many aren't available to someone with vision loss even using tools like the white cane or a guide dog," said Darwin Belt, co-founder and manager of WayAround and an architect with vision loss. "Today's debut of WayAround for Public Spaces is a significant step toward increasing what kind of information is available to people with vision loss about the built environment."

WayAround for individual use launched in January, 2018. Users affix a smart tag to any item around the home or office, then use the accessible mobile app, WayAround?Tag and Scan?to add a description as well as other details like laundering instructions, allergens, best-before dates, and more.

The debut of WayAround for Public Spaces coincides with the 2018 Training Conference and Expo of the National Industries for the Blind. Three-dimensional WayTags placed in high-traffic areas provide information about lobbies, the expo hall, and restrooms. Conference attendees access the information through the WayAround mobile app by tapping a WayTag with a smartphone.

"We chose the NIB conference to debut WayAround for Public Spaces because of our shared commitment to employ people with blindness and vision loss," said Armand Fisher, co-founder. "As we expand the technology for public spaces, we will continue to work closely with Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind and others in NIB's national network to ensure that people with vision loss are involved at every level of our company."

After the debut of WayAround for public spaces, the company will work with leading individuals and organizations within the blind and vision impairment field to define standards for implementing the technology in public spaces. WayAround for Public Spaces will be available for pre-order in 2019.

About WayAround
WayAround is a smart assistant that lets people with blindness and vision loss know more and do more. Using a mobile app and smart audio labels, WayAround provides customized information about the world around you. Created by two architects with vision loss, the simple tag-and-scan system promotes life-changing independence in everyday situations. Learn more at www.wayaround.com.

Media Contact:
Jessica Hipp
978-430-4342
[email protected] 
www.wayaround.com

SOURCE WayAround