July Feature: Navigating Your World with Maps & Other Accessible Tools

Getting around confidently can be one of the biggest challenges for individuals with vision loss. However, thanks to significant advancements in GPS and wayfinding technology, that’s becoming easier than ever (Isazade, 2023). This guide explores popular mapping applications and other innovative tools designed to make travel more accessible and significantly reduce stress for the visually impaired.

Google Maps with Detailed Voice Guidance

Did you know that Google Maps includes a feature specifically designed to enhance navigation for people who are blind or have low vision? It’s called Detailed Voice Guidance, and it provides more frequent and precise spoken directions when walking.

This invaluable feature helps users:

• Know exactly how far their next turn is.

• Stay oriented even if they briefly veer off route.

• Receive spoken alerts for upcoming intersections and crucial direction changes.

This enhanced audio feedback can dramatically improve safety and confidence during independent travel, giving more precise and frequent walking instructions to navigate your surroundings with ease.

How to Turn It On:

1. Open the Google Maps app.

2. Go to Settings (often found by tapping your profile picture or the menu icon).

3. Select Navigation Settings.

Enable Detailed Voice Guidance under "Walking Options."

Google Maps Accessibility Tips

Using Screen Readers

• On Android: Go to Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack, and turn it on.

• On iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver, and turn it on.

This lets you control the app and understand what’s on the map just by listening and swiping.

Live View (Using Camera)

Hold up your phone and see your surroundings. The app can tell you what buildings, stores, or signs are nearby.

How to Use:

1. Open Google Maps.

2. Tap the Lens icon in the search bar.

3. Point your camera at things around you.

4. Double-tap any place to get more info.

Note: You need TalkBack or VoiceOver on. This feature works best on phones, not tablets.

Changing Text and Map Size

Make words and labels bigger if you need.

• On Android: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Font Size or Display Size.

• On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Larger Text, and turn on "Larger accessibility sizes."

Zooming and Moving Around the Map

• To zoom in or out: Double-tap a spot on the map, then drag down (to zoom in) or up (to zoom out).

• To move the map: Drag with your finger.

Finding Accessible Transit (Buses, Trains)

You can filter your options to see only routes that are wheelchair friendly.

How to Use:

1. Type your destination.

2. Go to Directions > Transit > Options.

3. Select "Wheelchair accessible" routes.

Apple Maps Accessibility Features

Apple Maps is great for people who use iPhones, especially with VoiceOver — a tool that speaks everything out loud. Its features are deeply integrated with iOS for a seamless experience.

• Directions & Exploration: Your phone gives spoken turn-by-turn directions. With VoiceOver on, you can also explore the map by touch and hear what everything is called—streets, shops, and more.

• Vibrations (Haptic Feedback): Your phone can also vibrate gently to provide cues or guide you during navigation.

• Walking Information: Apple Maps provides comprehensive walking directions, including details about crosswalks, pedestrian zones, and public spaces.

• Public Transit: It offers real-time updates and step-by-step guidance for public transportation, all read aloud by VoiceOver.

• Look Around (Like Google’s Street View): You can visually explore streets, and VoiceOver can read elements on the screen to help you understand what’s around you.

• Door Detection (Newer Feature for Certain iPhones): If your iPhone has special camera technology (LiDAR Scanner), it can help you find doors, read signs, and tell you which way to swing a door when you arrive at a location.

• Extra Guides: Apple Maps also features helpful guides like "Park Access for All" from the National Park Foundation to discover accessible park features.

Other Wayfinding Apps

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) recommends these apps:

Soundscape (open-source): Provides 3D audio cues for environmental description and direction.

Lazarillo: Free app with turn-by-turn navigation and voice descriptions of nearby points of interest.

Seeing AI: Offers scene and location descriptions, assisting with orientation.

BlindSquare: Combines GPS and Foursquare data to describe surroundings and provide detailed routing.

See their complete list here.

Why Accessible Navigation Matters

Utilizing GPS navigation tools isn’t just about getting you from point A to point B; it's about transforming the travel experience and unlocking new possibilities. These tools when taught and utilized can:

·       Reduce Anxiety: By providing clear, real-time information, they significantly reduce stress when navigating unfamiliar places.

·       Encourage Independence: They empower individuals to travel independently, expanding their world and opportunities.

·       Promote Safety: Precise directions and environmental descriptions enhance safety, especially in busy or complex environments.

·       Boost Confidence: Knowing you have reliable guidance in your pocket builds immense confidence, whether you're traveling solo or in new locations.

For many users, these sophisticated tools are far more than just convenient; they are truly life-changing, fostering a greater sense of freedom and control over their mobility. The continuous evolution of these technologies holds immense potential for further enhancing the autonomy and quality of life for individuals with visual impairments (Isazade, 2023).

Apps with Widely Reported Success and Ease of Use in the US

Based on general consensus and recommendations within the visually impaired community in the US, the following apps are highly regarded for success and ease of use:

• Google Maps with Detailed Voice Guidance: Provides precise, frequent spoken directions for walking, telling you distances to turns, alerting you if you're off-route, and describing intersections. It also offers standard navigation for driving, public transit, and points of interest.

• Soundscape: Uses 3D audio cues to describe your surroundings and help you identify points of interest, allowing you to place "virtual beacons" and hear their direction. It's more about building spatial awareness than turn-by-turn.

• Lazarillo: A free, dedicated navigation app that offers turn-by-turn voice directions and announces nearby points of interest (like restaurants, stores, and landmarks) in real-time.

• Seeing Eye GPS: Provides robust, reliable point-by-point voice navigation specifically designed for users with visual impairments. It offers clear instructions, intersection descriptions, and automatically re-routes if you go off course.

• Nearby Explorer / Nearby Explorer Online: Offers detailed, customizable spoken guidance as you move. It provides point-by-point instructions, shares information about intersections, and alerts you if you stray from your chosen path. The "Online" version is free but limited to indoor use with internet. Nearby Explorer (Android, iOS) / Nearby Explorer Online (Android, iOS): Developed by APH, known for rich detail, robust features, and customizable spoken environmental information.

Interested in learning how these tools can enhance your mobility? Contact Navigating Independence, PLLC today for a personalized consultation!