Devices

Other Navigational Devices

This section includes devices which can assist with mobility and orientation. Methods of producing embossed maps are described in section Devices for Embossed Graphics. Orientation devices inform the user of their location and the direction in which they wish to travel; mobility devices assist on the journey. The devices range from simple sound beacons to complex environmental systems. A number of navigational devices have been developed which involved modifying the environment (eg embedding wires in pavements, or adding transmitters at salient points).

Blind Signs, Inc.
P.O. Box 3910, Central Point, Oregon 97502, USA.
Contact person: Rob Cook, Marketing & Customer Services
Tel: +1 541 538 0202
Email: cookr@blindsigns.com
Web: www.blindsigns.com

Detectable Directional Guidance System (DDGS)
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The DDGS is an orientation and way-finding system for blind and visually impaired pedestrians. Detectional and directional orientation of the slightly raised surface of the DDGS or 'markers' can be achieved by an average cane sweep, a touch of the foot, or through colour contrast for low vision individuals. All markers will be in a configuration approximately 2 feet by 2 feet. The individual strips will be glued with test-proven epoxy to the surface using templates so they will be secured in the exact, correct layout. A set of markers consisiting of 3 strips, coloured yellow, will signify a bus or other transit stop. The traveller will not only be notified that they are at the stop, but also where to board the vehicle. A set of 4 brick red coloured marker strips will notify the traveller that they have reached a crosswalk. The raised markers will act as a detectable warning that they are about to enter a street. They will also act as a directional guide, sending the traveller into the middle of the crosswalk, heading in the correct direction. A set of markers consisting of 5 contrasting strips can indicate a stairway leading either up or down. It will act as both a warning and a directional guidance, leading the traveller safely to the stairs.
Price: Approx. $800.00 per four-way intersection (8 marker sets) and $75.00 per bus stop
Last updated: 11/05/2006

Brunton
2255 Brunton Court, Riverton, Wyoming, 82501, USA.
Tel: +1 307 857 4700
Fax: +1 307 857 4702
Email: support@brunton.com
Web: www.brunton.com

16B Braille Compass
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With a revolving disc; a raised arrow indicates north; Braille letters indicate south, east, and west. Balanced for Northern Hemisphere only. Print instructions are included.
Price: $89.00
Last updated: 02/07/2007

CareTec GmbH
Stubenbastei 1, A-1010 Vienna, Austria.
Tel: +43 1 513 80810
Fax: +43 1 513 80819
Email: office@caretec.at
Web: www.caretec.at

Talking Compass Columbus
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An electronic compass with integrated German and English speech output. At the press of a button it will tell you the exact direction.
Price: €119.90
Last updated: 10/11/2006

Centro-WMPTA
16 Summer Lane, Birmingham B19 3SD, UK.
Tel: +44 121 214 7125
Email: www.centro.org.uk/source/Common/Comments.html
Web: www.centro.org.uk

Bus hailer
The bus hailer is made up of three rows of bold and embossed numbers, each from 0 – 9, and letters X, A and C with the Braille underneath. It means that the user can easily select the number of the desired bus. The bus hailer is then held up to oncoming traffic so the relevant bus drivers know to stop. The word BUS can also be shown for users unsure of their bus number or for those who can catch any bus on the route. The black number and letters are on a fluorescent background so it can be easily spotted by bus drivers from a distance. The bus hailer comes with a clear plastic protective wallet so that it can be used in all weathers, and has Braille and text instructions attached.
Price: Free
Last updated: 15/10/2007

GeoSensory
Robotron Group, 15 Stamford Road, Oakleigh 3166, Australia .
Tel: +61 3 9568 2568
Fax: +61 3 9568 1377
Web: www.geosensory.com

C2 Talking Compass
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The C2 Compass is a miniature hand-held battery-operated eight-point compass with voice output and auxiliary color indication. The compass is contained in a semi-transparent light-blue enclosure. At the top there is the speaker and the activatation button. A three-position slide switch on the side is used to switch the compass off (central position) and select one of the two in-built languages or voices. The in-built colour indicator (visible through the semi-transparent enclosure) can be used to determine the direction in noisy conditions. Requires 2 x 12V battery (not included)
Length: 75mm Width: 50mm Depth: 25mm
Price: US$69.95 (English/Spanish); US$89.95 (with a choice of languages)
Last updated: 02/07/2007

Horizon Marketing (UK) Ltd
Unit 15B, Holme Mills Industrial Park, Britannia Road, Milnsbridge, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD3 4QF, UK.
Tel: +44 1484 460909
Fax: +44 1484 461097
Email: sales@horizon-signs.co.uk
Web: www.horizon-signs.co.uk

Talking Sign
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Will record up to 60 seconds of a message which can be played back by pressing a large button. Enables information of surroundings to be conveyed. Specifically designed for use in public areas such as museums and also for residential/nursing homes. Includes press and listen in Braille.
Length: 825mm Width: 496mm
Ref: TSA2
Price: £425.00
Last updated: 14/11/2006

Loadstone GPS Team
Web: www.loadstone-gps.com

Loadstone GPS v0.68
Free satellite navigation software developed for Symbian Mobile/phones using the Series60 platform. Although Loadstone-GPS is a useful navigational tool for everyone, it is particularly useful for blind and visually impaired people using screen readers such as Talks and Mobile Speak. To make the most of the Loadstone GPS program, you need technology such as: A Symbian (Series 60) mobile (cellular) phone, A Bluetooth GPS receiver, A USB Bluetooth dongle (optional), A Bluetooth headset (optional), A Multimedia card (MMC) reader (optional) and a high-capacity Multimedia Card (MMC) (optional).
Price: Free download from website
Last updated: 08/08/2007

RNIB
105 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NE, UK.
UK Customer Services Tel: 0845 702 3153
UK Customer Services Email: cservices@rnib.org.uk
Overseas Customer Services Tel: +44 1733 37 5400
Overseas Customer Services Email: exports@rnib.org.uk
Online Shop: www.rnib.org.uk/shop

NB: Some of the RNIB products have two prices where they have been specifically designed or adapted for disabled people. The lower price excludes VAT and applies to blind and partially sighted people resident in the UK and exempt from paying VAT and to UK charities buying on their behalf. Where one price is displayed this applies to all customers and includes VAT of 17.5%.

There is a separate catalogue available for overseas customers. If you have any enquiries, please contact RNIB Exports Department on +44 1733 37 54 00.

Directional Compass
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Compass has a raised arrow pointing North, South, East and West. Compass points are marked in braille with their initial letter. Each 30 degree position is marked with a single raised dot.
Ref: LC18
Price: £31.75; £37.31
Last updated: 11/05/2006

Speaking Sign
This self-contained unit can be used to warn, inform or alert a person to a situation by speaking a pre-recorded message. The message is activated by a Passive Infra-Red Detector (PIR) that detects body heat. A loud, high quality, audio message of up to 20 seconds in length can be recorded onto the unit using the in-built microphone or through the auxiliary input socket. The recording will remain in memory even when the power source is removed. The Speaking Sign can be used in many applications such as: welcoming people at the entrance to a building, warning of obstacles, alerting people to dangers, etc. It is powered from the mains electricity supply by using the mains adpator provided. The electronics are housed in a light coloured robust, water repellant plastic moulded case. The case slides into a contrasting, black wall plate and is secured by two security screws. This reduces the risk of an unauthorised person removing the unit. The unit has been designed so that the power cable and other controls are covered when the unit is installed. This is to reduce the risk of a third party tampering with the unit. This product fully complies with current CE regulations.
Length: 305mm Width: 175mm
Weight: 1.72Kg
Ref: DH140
Price: £55.32; £65.00
Last updated: 11/05/2006

Speaking Sign
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RNIB's speaking sign can either welcome visitors or warn colleagues of obstacles, at the flick of a switch. The sign plays pre-recorded messages of up to 20 seconds, recorded by using the internal microphone. Also features repeat message mode. Will memorise the message even when switched off. Cream casing with black controls. Replacement AA batteries are available from RNIB (Product no. CP03). A bracket for mounting is available separately (Product no. DH125). This flexible bracket can point the speaking sign in any chosen direction. Designed for use indoors only.
Height: 130mm Width: 75mm Depth: 95mm Length: 185mm
Weight: 0.866Kg
Ref: DH124
Price: £9.99; £11.74
Last updated: 11/05/2006

Speaking Sign
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This self-contained unit can be used to warn, inform or alert a person to a situation by speaking a pre-recorded message. The message is activated by a Passive Infra-red Detector (PIR) that detects body heat. A loud, high quality, audio message of up to 4 minutes in length can be recorded onto the unit using the in-built microphone or through the auxiliary input socket. The recording will remain in memory even when the power source is removed. It is powered from the mains electricity supply by using the mains adapter provided. The electronics are housed in a light coloured robust, water repellant plastic moulded case. The case slides into a contrasting, black wall plate and is secured by two security screws. This reduces the risk of an unauthorised person removing the unit.
Width: 175mm Depth: 95mm Length: 235mm
Weight: 1.278Kg
Ref: DH155
Price: £29.78; £34.99
Last updated: 11/05/2006

Speaking Sign, Push Button
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The Speaking Sign can be used in various applications, such as giving spoken information about displays in exhibitions, conferences and museums, or as a means of passing on messages. At the push of a button, a loud, high quality reproduction or your message may be heard. An audio message of up to four minutes in length can be recorded onto the unit, using the built-in microphone or through the auxiliary input socket. The recording will remain in the memory even when the power source is removed. It is powered from the mains electricity supply using the mains adapter provided.
The electronics are housed in a light-coloured, robust and water repellent plastic moulded case. This slides onto a contrasting black wall plate and is secured by two security screws.
Height: 80mm Width: 175mm Depth: 95mm
Weight: 1.398Kg
Ref: DH154
Price: £29.78; £34.99
Last updated: 11/05/2006

RNIB Innovation and Disability Access Services
Business Development Team, PO Box 173, Peterborough PE2 6WS, UK.
Tel: +44 1733 37 53 45
Email: busdev@rnib.org.uk
Online Shop: www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/publicwebsite/public_b2b_react.hcsp

RNIB React
RNIB React is the talking sign system that helps blind and partially sighted people find their way around. It has been sucessfully installed in many towns and city centres across the UK, along with areas such as train and bus stations. A number of strategically-placed speaker units are set up around a chosen area. Individuals carry a key fob type "trigger module" which activates the speaker unit when within range. The message given helps users to confirm their location and orientate themselves with their surroundings. RNIB React units and trigger fobs are only available from RNIB. Please contact RNIB Business Development to discuss your requirements and to arrange a demonstration of the system.
Last updated: 09/10/2007

Sendero Group LLC
1118 Maple Lane, Davis, California 95616, USA.
Tel: +1 530 757 6800
Fax: +1 530 757 6830
Email: GPS@SenderoGroup.com
Web: www.SenderoGroup.com

BrailleNote GPS version 3.5
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Sendero's BrailleNote GPS software enables you to: Automatically create routes for either walking or riding in a vehicle; Understand the street layout before traveling to a new city by means of
the "virtual explore" mode; Generate detailed information about your speed, the direction you are
traveling and your altitude;* Immediately calculate the distance and direction to a street address or
intersection; Determine your location relative to millions of "points of interest". Of course, you can
switch at any time to the other BrailleNote applications, including its Web browser, e-mail, word processing, the MP3 player, the address book, and planner.
Price: US$1,599.00 (includes software, maps (choice of U.S., U.K., Austria, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, and The Netherlands), Points Of Interest (POIs), GPS receiver, 1 GB Compact Flash (CF) storage card (8 GB CF card version package available)
Last updated: 09/05/2006

Talking Signs® Inc
812 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802, USA.
Tel: 888 825 5746 (Toll free)
Fax: +1 225 344 2811
Email: ward@talkingsigns.com
Web: www.talkingsigns.com/

Talking Signs® infrared remote signage is a wireless communication system that employs permanently installed transmitters and hand-held receivers. Human voice messages that identify landmarks and provide information are heard through a receiver carried by the traveler. People who are visually impaired, or are otherwise print disabled, scan for directional transmissions and find their way without asking for help. Talking Signs transmitters are used in buildings, to identify approaching buses, on bus stops, at cross-walks, in malls, on storefronts, etc.
Contact the manufacturer to discuss specific requirements.
Last updated: 14/11/2006