During the month of March the LightHouse will begin distributing free maps and Smartpens to O&M Instructors and Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI’s). The LightHouse has mapped 43 BART stations, three views each: street, concourse and platform; because you want to know not just where trains go, but how to get in and out of, and around stations.
This innovative project, funded by a New Freedom grant, and developed in partnership with Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, is creating audio-tactile maps of each BART station and allows people with visual impairments to independently navigate this essential public transport system, enabling them to be active participants in their communities.
Imagine you’re holding an audio-tactile BART Station Map. You can feel the raised lines and braille symbols. A “b” inside an oval represents a bus stop; a “t” in a triangle a taxi stand; there are distinct symbols for stairs, elevators and escalators. Say you want to learn more about that bus stop. Tap it with the Smartpen and you hear “Bus stop on the East side of Mission Street. Buses from this stop: Muni 14, 14L and 49″. That’s far more information than could be squeezed as braille into the 5/8 inch oval on the page. And it’s printed on a piece of paper that fits into a standard binder.
The LightHouse has mapped 43 BART stations, three views each: street, concourse and platform; because blind travelers want to know not just where trains go, but how to get in and out of, and around stations.
During the month of March the LightHouse will begin distributing maps and Smartpens. If you are an O&M Specialist or TVI in the Bay Area who is currently teaching at least 50% time and would like these materials as aids to help your students develop the confidence to independently navigate this essential public transport system, we would like to hear from you. To receive your free maps and Smartpen please contact Greg Kehret, Director of Access to Information Services at gkehret@lighthouse-sf.org. Tell us what school district or agency you work for, and your complete contact information including postal mailing address.
Supplies are limited for this roll-out phase so our priority is to fulfill requests from O&M Specialists or TVI’s before making these maps available to the general public
We can Take Care of your Maps, Braille, Recording and other Needs
From braille, tactile maps and audio products to access consulting, the LightHouse is pleased to assist businesses and individuals in making needed information accessible. For more information on how the LightHouse can help with providing accessibility call Greg Kehret at 415-694-7349 or gkehret@lighthouse-sf.org
