Guiding Eyes for the Blind has partnered with WayAround to enhance accessibility at its Yorktown Heights Training Center. 

WayTag NFC tags (Near Field Communication tags) are placed strategically around the campus, in tandem with ADA signage or on features that typically require some vision to access or operate. A user taps their smartphone to the WayTag NFC tag to get an overview. Users can also access very specific, detailed information, if they want it. 

“I have been using these tags for years and immediately thought of WayAround when thinking about improved ways to make our campus more accessible,” said Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s Danielle Cuénoud. “It has been wonderful and rewarding to hear how excited people get about all the ways WayAround can assist with their everyday needs.”

The information is available through the free WayAround—Tag and Scan app for iOS and Android. The app is optimized to work with the native accessibility settings on smartphones, making the information accessible to people with low vision, no vision, deafblindness, and also for fully sighted users.

“When Guiding Eyes approached us about using WayAround at their facility, we were thrilled to work with an organization that had a clear vision for how our technology could enhance students’ experiences and staff workflows,” said Jessica Hipp, COO of WayAround.

Initially, Guiding Eyes for the Blind has placed WayAround tags in areas where students frequent, including public restrooms, the gift shop, and on menus at Rosie’s Cafe and in students’ rooms. Guiding Eyes staff has worked closely with WayAround to ensure consistency for the placement of tags and how information is presented. 

“WayAround tags were a great addition to my residential experience at Guiding Eyes because they allowed me more access for reading menus,” shared Melissa Carney, Graduate and Staff Member.

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About Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is dedicated to creating and supporting life-changing connections. Since our founding by Donald Kauth in 1954, we’ve graduated almost 10,000 teams. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with all services provided completely free of charge. At Guiding Eyes, we rely upon the contributions of our generous donors to fulfill our mission.

Guiding Eyes is an accredited member of the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF), the organization that establishes worldwide standards for the breeding and training of guide dogs. We’re proud to support their mission to improve and uphold worldwide standards for the breeding and training of guide dogs. Guiding Eyes also partners with other organizations, to ensure that exceptional dogs who are not suited to guide work, may go on to alternative careers in detection or as service dogs, or are placed in loving homes through our Youth Program or public adoption.

https://www.guidingeyes.org/

About WayAround

WayAround is a smart assistant that lets people with blindness and vision loss know more and do more. Using a mobile app and smart tags, WayAround lets users quickly and easily identify items around them. Created by two architects with vision loss, the simple tag-and-scan system promotes life-changing independence in everyday situations.