WASHINGTON AREA MODEL ACCESSIBILITY PROJECT
(WASHINGTON AREA MAP)

Almost 10 million people are unable to read print signs at normal viewing distance – even with their best corrected vision. For these citizens, the whole environment presents a barrier. Lacking information and orientation provided by signs and landmarks, the simplest tasks become extremely difficult.

For those with limited vision, one of the most difficult travel tasks is navigating though a complex urban, multi-modal transportation system such as exists in the Washington, D.C. area. At the present time, completing a complex travel task – finding a bus stop; getting on the right bus; transferring from the bus to the Metro; locating, entering and finding the proper gate in an airport or platform at a rail station – can be done independently only with great difficulty. Usually, blind and print impaired travelers are left to the mercy (and competence) of strangers to guide them through the process.

Talking Signs® remote infrared signage technology has, through scientific evaluations and extensive user experience over the past ten years, been proven to greatly enhance the ability of blind and print impaired people to effectively and safely navigate complex travel tasks. The wayfinding system is now deployed in San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, Lansing, MI, Phoenix, AZ, New York City and many other cites in the U.S., Japan, Canada and Norway. It has the strong support of blind communities in these countries.

Washington, D.C. has the opportunity to become the world’s first truly Accessible City for people who are blind or have other print-reading disabilities. By installing Talking Signs® transmitters on WMATA’s buses, at bus shelters, in the Metro stations and at its airports and rail stations, these travelers will be provided seamless accessible travel in much the same way fully sighted people have today.

The Department of Transportation (FTA and FRA), WMATA, the Washington Area Airports Authority and AMTRAK have, for the past ten years, followed and participated in the development and deployment of this liberating technology.

The full impact and power of this wayfinding technology can only be realized with a region wide multi-modal model project such as the one being proposed here. Washington can become the model city for the world, demonstrating that access to the built environment and transportation is the recognized right of every citizen.