The aim of the ABAplans project is to develop computer programs allowing blind and partially-sighted people to acquire a better knowledge of their urban environnement and to prepare their travel plans. These trips, on foot or by public transport, can be planned with digital customized thermo-inflated tactile maps.
A crossroad (or neighbourhoods) map editor for ergotherapist locomotion instructors, allowing them to produce printable relief maps. This editor offers the possibility to personalize the area to be printed and the type of information for the blind person : pedestrian-crossings, indications of traffic direction, traffic lights....
A multimedia interactive device (tactile + audio + visual) consisting of a textured thermo-inflated map (of a district or a city) layed on a tactile tablet. A finger pressure on the map results in audio comments indicating the names of roads, crossroads or relevant points. Many functions can be activated using Braille buttons : orientation, itineraries and public transports.
Interactive streets maps installed in well-chosen semi-public places could make the town more accessible to blind people.
During the 7th General Assembly for the World Blind Union (WBU), August 15-23 2008 in Geneva, the ABAplans interactive displays were available at the conference center in order to help the participants find their way themselves and travel through Geneva.
Very successfully press conference on Monday 18th August : Swiss President Pascal Couchepin, Alain Barrillier and Marie-Thérèse Voeffray, interviewed by television and radio.
SwissInfo : Technology opens up new prospects for the blind
ABAPLANS participated with a stand at the AUTONOMIC exhibition held in Paris from the 11th to the 13th of June 2008. Our project was selected to compete for the innovation prize granted by the HANDITEC association, and received the 3rd prize.
,
