In the facility that houses the Braille Library in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, Braille blocks that provide directions by voice when you hold your smartphone over them have been permanently installed for the first time in Japan.
This braille block reads the mark on the protrusion part with a dedicated smartphone app and gives directions by voice.
It was the first permanent installation in Japan at the facility that houses the Tottori Lighthouse Braille Library in Yonago City, and about 20 people, including visually impaired people and government officials, participated in the hands-on event.
Braille blocks are installed in three locations from the road to the facility, and eight blocks from the entrance of the facility to the Braille library on the second floor, and when you hold up your smartphone, you can hear a voice saying, "This is the second floor, there is a braille library 3 meters away on the left."
The content of the audio changed depending on whether they were heading to the library or trying to go outside, and the participants followed the guidance to confirm their destination correctly.
A woman in her 70s from Yonago City said, "I was surprised to find out more about it, and I think it's convenient for walking."
A man in his 50s from Nanbu Town said, "I thought it would be good because it would give me information about the surroundings, and I would like it to be installed in places that are often used, such as intersections, stations, and banks."
Yasumi Kadowaki, director of the Tottori Lighthouse Braille Library, said, "Users need the skills to use smartphones well, so we would like to work with Tottori Prefecture to consider ways to have them acquire them."