[Nfbf-l] App Developers Continue to Make Navigating Easier for the Blind

[Patricia A. Lipovsky]

FYI

I found this pretty interesting.

Feature Writer Alena Roberts - App Developers Continue to Make Navigating Easier for the Blind

Accessible GPS apps are continuing to grow in numbers and come down in price. Sadly though, none of the current accessible GPS apps will tell you what
kind of intersection you're at or if it's safe to cross. A new app that's being developed at the University of Minnesota seems to incorporate some much
needed changes.

One of the frustrations of being in a new or busy area is learning how to safely cross at intersections. Even with the best mobility skills, a totally
blind person won't know if the intersection has a stop light or a two or four way stop. This may make crossing difficult. If you read traffic with your
ears, you may still cross at the wrong time because the light was red but there were no cars coming. This new app would solve that problem. 

According to the developer, the app will tell the person when to cross the street, what direction they're going, and how many lanes they'll be crossing.
The app will also tell the person the name of the street they're crossing and the name of the street they're on. One of the more exciting features will
be the ability to press the walk button from the phone so that the user doesn't have to locate it. As a guide dog user I often find it difficult to find
the pole where the walk button is, and then I sometimes hit the wrong button.  This new feature will allow the phone to communicate wirelessly with the
nearest walk button terminal.

The hope is to start testing the app either in March or April of this year. Testing will be done in Golden Valley, Minnesota by blind and visually impaired
iPhone users. The app will be free to download once it's available in the app store. 

How do you think an app like this would impact your mobility? Would you feel safer crossing streets in new areas if you had this kind of information?  


Source: 
http://www.mndaily.com/2012/02/28/app-will-help-blind-visually-impaired-navigate-streets


And remember....
If you lack the courage to  start, you have already finished.