Audio described restrooms

NaviLens code on a restroom sign

Audio described restrooms for the blind and visually impaired.

NaviLens codes posted outside public restrooms can make them easier to find and allow blind users to privately hear an audio description of a restroom's layout before entering it.

Try it! Scan the NaviLens code above using NaviLens. Then, listen to a description of a restroom in your smartphone's language.

NaviLens displays and speaks: "Girls restroom: Go left to find 3 stalls. The one furthest away from the door is a wheelchair-accessible stall. You can tell which one it is by the curtains. To find the sink, go past the curtain, turn left, and you'll find it on the wall. To find a paper towel dispenser, turn right from the sink and look for a wall. Follow that wall to your right. A trash can is just to the right of the paper towel dispenser."

Questions:

1. If you're blind, would you like to be able to listen privately to the layout of a public restroom before you enter it? Or are you okay with using your cane or guide dog to find your way around like you've always done?

   
   

2. If you're sighted like I am, what would your experience be like if you had to use a public restroom in complete darkness? Oh, right. You and I would likely "cheat" and get out our smartphones and temporarily use the flashlight on them to find our way around. But if you're blind, a flashlight wouldn't help you. Even though there are AI apps that could help, like Be My AI, they'd involve using smartphone cameras, which are not permitted in restrooms.