A new app, trialled at Newcastle Museum to boost accessibility in 2021, will now be rolled out to several other key cultural facilities in the city.
The BindiMaps app will provide ‘audio maps’, helping people with low or no vision, navigate locations like Museum Park, Civic Theatre, City Hall, and Newcastle Library.
“The implementation of BindiMaps is part of our commitment to ensuring Newcastle is a liveable, sustainable and inclusive global city for all who live, visit or work here,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
BindiMaps utilises a network of Bluetooth beacons, a mapping and route guidance system and smartphone sensors to describe to the user where they are, what’s around them, and the best way to get to their chosen destination.
“We launched BindiMaps just before a Sea, Space & Beyond exhibition, which featured artworks created by the blind, low vision and sighted communities, and there was a huge upswing in satisfaction rates,” Director Museum Archive Libraries and Learning Julie Baird said.
“BindiMaps enabled us to practically support improvements in other areas and we found it was the icing on the cake to help make vision-impaired visitors more comfortable within the space and meet their needs.
“The response has been so positive that it’s provided new opportunities to reach audiences who perhaps thought we weren’t available or suitable for them.”
You can find out more about BindiMaps, and download the app, by visiting bindimaps.com.
