The continuing growth of broadband multimedia networks in Europe has an ever-increasing impact on people’s lives. Information can be accessed remotely and in the comfort of people’s own home; people can interact with friends and family via email, instant chat or Voice over IP; services such as online shopping, paying bills and “distance learning” are now offered to the public. However, people who are visually impaired, or who have other forms of disability are, in many cases, not able to take full advantage of all these integrated computing and telecommunications services (ICT) facilities. This is primarily due to the inaccessibility to this user-group of the visual based content being offered by ICT products and services.

The ENABLED project is researching the network aspects of this particular form of the “Digital divide” by providing accessible map information and using the capability of fixed mobile convergence in networks to support the mobility of visually impaired people.

The ENABLED project, has therefore allocated its effort to two specific tasks:

• (1) Developing technologies that create accessible graphical content on broadband multimedia networks, primarily concerning indoor and outdoor maps;
  
  
• (2) Developing “ubiquitous” tools that enable easy access to the map information, and interfaces that are adaptable and interoperable no matter where the users are and what equipment they are using.

To achieve these objectives, research and development work will be focused on three supporting tools:

• (1) an annotation tool for audio and haptic map representations;
  
  
• (2) adaptable interfaces for exploration of maps and route-planning;
  
  
• (3) a navigation aid provided through wireless networks.

With the aim of providing ubiquitous access to map information and network-based services, the project is developing a navigation system that provides guidance for visually impaired pedestrians in both indoor and outdoor settings. Multimodal representations of indoor and outdoor maps are also under investigation in order to complete the whole navigation process, from route-planning to actually following the route. The research and development work will be supported by training activities involving local user organizations and SMEs. These training activities will form the basis of a sound foundation for the exploitation and dissemination of project results. The outcome of this project will directly benefit visually impaired people as the technologies developed will be deployed onto a commercial mobile navigation aid.

Project brochure:

• [new window] project brochure (doc file 212 KB)
  
  
• [new window] project brochure (pdf file 389 KB)

Project folder:

[new window] project folder (pdf file 418 KB)