GNC3 Newsletter – Accessible Audio Indoor Navigation

Published April 2018 by Gateway Navigation CCC Limited

Website: www.gnc3.com

Email: partners@gnc3.com

Contents – Newsletter

Straight Talk – Indoor Navigation

Upcoming Event – AEBC Workshop

Standard of Excellence – Wayfindr Open Standard

Action – BC / RHF Accessibility Grant

Next Step

Straight Talk – Indoor Navigation

Listen to Mike May – Founder Sendero Group, David LePage – Co-Founder Buy Social Canada, Albert Ruel – Canadian Council of the Blind: Get Together with Technology and Steve Barclay – President Canadian Assistive Technology discussion on accessible audio indoor navigation with David Brun – Founder Gateway Navigation. To listen, click here

Upcoming Event – AEBC Workshop

Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) is holding their National Conference at the Burnaby Metrotown Hilton Hotel – April 27th to 29th, 2018.

AEBC Workshop – Augmented Reality: 1:30 PM Friday, April 27th, 2018.

Join Albert Ruel, Canadian Council of the Blind, David Brun and Jim Taggart, Gateway Navigation CCC Limited at the Burnaby Metrotown Hilton Hotel. Presentation exploring the potential and opportunities possible through BLE (Bluetooth low energy) beacons, smartphones and apps. Focusing on the importance of standardization and best practices to create consistent and repeatable experiences for users. With hands on experience using the Right-Hear Accessible Zone Management Platform and App. Experience how this technology can augment our reality of indoor environments.

Standard for Excellence – Wayfindr Open Standard

Wayfindr was founded through collaboration and partnership between the Royal Society for Blind Children, ustwo design studio and Transport for London. Supported by an Impact Challenge Grant from Google.Org. All coming together to problem solve a need identified by blind youth. The desire and importance to be able to independently navigate the London Underground”. Starting their journey in 2015. They quickly realized the potential of what they were undertaking went far beyond the scope of their initial purpose. Last month Wayfindr published version 2.0 of their Open Standard.  Here is the update and the vision we share.

Wayfindr’ s Open Standard is an approved international standard by the International Telecommunications Union as ITU-T F.921.

Why an Open Standard?

When individuals and organizations get behind a purposeful vision, solutions to what previously seemed like big challenges become attainable.

The aim is that this Open Standard will help lower the barrier for built-environment owners and digital navigation services to make their environments, products and services inclusive from the outset as we continue to weave technology into our cities

Once the Open Standard is adopted across the built-environment and digital navigation services alike, vision impaired people will benefit from a consistent, reliable and seamless navigation experience.

Emerging indoor navigation technologies such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Beacons and 5G hold the key to opening the world for vision impaired people. However, to achieve the greatest impact globally, there is a pressing need to develop a consistent standard to be implemented across wayfinding systems. This will truly open up a world where vision impaired people are no longer held back by their sight loss, removing barriers to employment, to seeing friends and family and engaging in their community.

The Wayfindr Open Standard aims to do just that. As the Open Standard develops it will give venue owners and digital navigation services the tools to implement high quality, consistent, audio wayfinding solutions. It includes an open-source demo app that enables people who download it to use BLE beacons to understand and implement the open standard with real users, in real contexts, in real time.

The Directors of Gateway Navigation and our Canadian Council of the Blind advisors support the work and open standard concept being undertaken by Wayfindr. We encourage all stakeholders to support the standards and best practices published in version 2.0…Through collaboration, partnership and advocacy stakeholders all play a vital role in developing accessible audio indoor navigation solutions that are consistent and repeatable regionally, nationally and globally.

Click on the link for more information on Wayfindr version 2.0:www.wayfindr.net

Action – BC / RHF Accessibility Grant

Read how you can help initiate accessibility, inclusion and independence in your local community. By supporting and advocating for the installation and deployment of accessible audio indoor navigation projects.

“Creating livable communities begins with integrating accessibility into everything we do, our workplaces, buildings, neighbourhoods and businesses. This is the province I believe in and want to help build – a place where everyone can contribute and help make our communities inclusive, welcoming, and vibrant.” BC Premier Horgan

In the spirit of the Premier’s vision of building accessible, inclusive communities for all people. The Government of British Columbia is funding two programs designed to improve universal access in communities across the Province.

Through $9 million in provincial funding, the Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF) has launched two new programs to improve accessibility for British Columbians.

“When we remove the physical barriers, we create communities where everyone feels welcome. We are pleased to support the Rick Hansen Foundation with this initiative where together we can build a better B.C. for people of all abilities to be able to live, work and play,” said Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.

With the provincial funding, the Rick Hansen Foundation has developed the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) and the BC Accessibility Grants Program. RHFAC is a LEED-style system to rate accessibility for retail, commercial, institutional and multi-family residential buildings. Provincial funding is enabling approximately 1,100 free accessibility ratings within British Columbia, until March 2019.

Once rated, organizations will be eligible to apply for B.C. accessibility grants of up to $20,000 to use toward accessibility improvements. All projects will provide people with disabilities increased access and opportunities related to workspaces, health and fitness, arts and culture, and education. The upcoming round of B.C. accessibility grant applications must be submitted by May 31, 2018.

Gateway Navigation CCC Limited is a Community Contribution Company in partnership with the Canadian Council of the Blind. Our objective of being involved in accessible audio indoor navigation projects are to:

• Uphold and contribute to the UN Telecommunications recognized (Wayfindr) open standard in the design, installation and maintenance of pilots and projects.
• Share venue data so all app developers can include the venue in their app database. Allowing users to select the app that provides them with the best experience for their individual needs.
• Facilitate engagement with stakeholders inside and outside of the local communities in raising awareness on the benefits and value the technology offers.
• Identify and implement training and employment opportunities for disabled persons in projects we undertake.

Gateway is dedicated to improving the accessibility of interior spaces for members of the blind and visually impaired community in Canada. Just as smart phone-based GPS has made exterior navigation easier for everyone, so Gateway supports wireless network solutions that will make all buildings more accessible to all those who cannot read signage or interpret other visual wayfinding cues.

Unlike GPS, interior navigation systems of a similar kind must be established one building at a time. Through the Accessibility Grant Program, we have a path to accelerate the deployment and recognition on the value this technology brings to our communities.

The current BC / RHF funding provides the opportunity to raise awareness and accelerate acceptance of this empowering technology. Through engaging venue partners to be accessibility champions.

However, it is vital for those who share our vision. To advocate our message to stakeholders and venue owners and operators in their local communities. Stressing the importance of building accessible audio indoor navigation environments. Benefiting seniors, new immigrant’s, people with vision loss and many others. Building – a place where everyone can contribute and help make our communities inclusive, welcoming, and vibrant

Next Step

For more information, provide feedback or venues we can contact to participate in the Accessibility Grant Program for the installation of accessible audio indoor navigation click here..

Or contact: David Brun

Gateway Navigation CCC Limited

Email: david@gnc3.com

Mobile: 604.499.4818

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