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Guide Dogs and Parks Victoria Boost Access to Green Spaces
An iconic location in Melbourne, Albert Park is now more accessible to Victorians with low vision or blindness following the installation of new navigation technology.
Parks Victoria has partnered with Guide Dogs Victoria (GDV) to facilitate the installation of BlindSquare, the world’s most widely used accessible GPS-app. Through Customised Location Services (CLS), BlindSquare describes where a user is in the park and aids them in finding their way around – including areas not covered by standard GPS like walks, public toilets, picnic areas, rest benches, children’s playgrounds, and viewing areas.
The key pedestrian routes leading into the park from tram and bus stops are now covered by the app making it easier to access when arriving by public transport.
“This increased access to green spaces will be beneficial for the physical and mental wellbeing for people with low vision or blindness. We are so excited for Albert Park to be a place that provides safe and independent access,” said Guide Dogs Victoria CEO Karen Hayes.
“Everybody deserves to enjoy Victoria’s beautiful parks, and we hope to see Blindsquare rolled out across more spaces across the state.”
“Albert Park is one of Melbourne’s best loved and most used parks and we’re thrilled that people with blindness or low vision can now enjoy more of the park’s features and facilities with the assistance of this fantastic app,” said Parks Victoria Area Chief Ranger, Marty Watts.
BlindSquare is also installed at Jells Park, Studley Park, Westgate Park, and in the Melbourne CBD and a range of public venues such as Melbourne Zoo, Bourke Street and Swanston Street, and all the train stations in the City Loop. BlindSquare is available for free download in 25 different languages.
Users can download the free version of BlindSquare called ‘BlindSquare Event’ to use at all sites where BlindSquare is installed.
For further information on the BlindSquare contact Guide Dogs Victoria or go to the Parks Victoria website https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/.
