Guide Dogs Victoria (GDV) has included digital accessible wayfinding startup BindiMaps as part of a “gold standard for accessible buildings” it’s currently building at its Kew Campus site in Victoria, where it is working towards building the world’s first fully accessible sensory campus.
GDV’s development has involved installing and implementing a holistic range of tools such as tactile surfaces throughout the Campus, contrasting colours to define spaces, adaptive lighting and lighting for wayfinding and other best practices to support inclusive and accessible employment features.
The BindiMaps solution forms a critical part of GDV’s goal of being a world-leading, fully accessible sensory Campus for all abilities. It offers all visitors to the site – especially those with low vision or blindness or disability – the ability to precisely navigate the entire facility with ease and accuracy.
This includes navigating to unique locations, such as the Betty Amsden Education Centre, the Guide Dog nursery, around the administration centre and from June to include the new client services accommodation, community education hub and cafe.
The app leverages sophisticated navigation algorithms and a network of Bluetooth beacons and smartphone sensors to offer users a choice of text, map view, or audio directions that guide users throughout the Campus using accurate, real-time, and step-by-step directions to any destination.
It was designed with input from hundreds of blind and low vision users to ensure the highest possible levels of accessibility and inclusivity.
BindiMaps has a long-standing partnership with Guide Dogs on a range of initiatives in other states, including NSW, where it worked with Guide Dogs Clients, operations and maintenance teams, management, and assistive technology experts to design and refine the product.
This close relationship between BindiMaps and Guide Dogs developed over many years is based on their common goal of making the world more inclusive and accessible for people with low vision or blindness.
Anna Wright, founder and CEO of BindiMaps, said: “It is such a joy for BindiMaps to be working with true accessibility experts like Guide Dogs, and such an honour to be named as an important tool in their ‘gold standard for building accessibility’ tool kit.
“For many years, Guide Dogs has provided companies across Australia with critical services such as accessibility audits to determine the suitability of physical spaces for people with low vision or blindness, orientation and mobility services to guide and coach people with vision impairment, and broad accessibility advice.
“It has thousands of Clients who experience low vision or blindness, and its own buildings also go beyond best practice for accessibility and assistance animal support. For these reasons and more, Guide Dogs is truly world-class when it comes to accessible design and implementation.”
Nicky Long, CEO of Guide Dogs Victoria, said: “The Guide Dogs Victoria Campus sets the bar for accessibility requirements not just for those who have low vision or blindness, but for all people with a disability.
“Inclusion and accessibility is at the heart of everything we do at Guide Dogs and partnering with BindiMaps helps us create a physical environment that is accessible for all people — whether they are a Client, employee or visitor. Everyone will feel considered and included here at Guide Dogs Victoria.
“BindiMaps is an important feature that enables people to plan their visit to our state-of-the art Campus and navigate to where they need to go once they’re here by using their own device.
“As our home in Kew continues to be redeveloped, Guide Dogs Victoria is delighted to continue working with BindiMaps to enhance our Campus.”
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BindiMaps (www.bindimaps.com) is a mobile navigation app that uses sophisticated navigation algorithms and a network of Bluetooth beacons and smartphone sensors to help users precisely navigate to any destination within any type of complex indoor space. It was developed by people with a vision impairment, for people with a vision impairment, to create the highest possible level of inclusivity and offers 10-20 times higher accuracy than Google’s GPS can provide for indoor locations. Its application ranges from university campuses, airports, shopping malls, hospitals, office buildings, and more.
Anna developed the idea for BindiMaps after undergoing years of major surgery to save her own eyesight, which inspired her to create a more accessible world for people with vision impairment. She is a recognised leader in the startup ecosystem, lighting a path for non-technical founders to start and build tech companies that can change the world. It is her passion for impact that saw Anna nominated for 2019 Australian of the Year.
