Integration and autonomy of the blind
The Metropolitan Transport of Barcelona (TMB) has adapted its facilities and notifications for the blind. The metro, the bus and the tram are an example of integration and autonomy for them. They have both aural and tactile help to facilitate integration, independent living and the autonomy of these people.
Subway ticket vending machines are easily identifiable with the controls they use to identify the traffic lights. This emits a sound so that the user can locate it spatially in the station. They also have a voice navigation system and Braille keys. These adaptations allow the blind person to buy the ticket autonomously. The subway entrance machines also emit a ticket validation sound.
The elevators and wagons have a voice-over system that indicates the direction in which it is directed.
On the other hand, the roads that lead to the elevators, stairs, platforms, machines and exits of bills are identified with the cane thanks to the relief with which they are formed. Even the elevator buttons are in Braille.
Likewise, the network of day and night buses (NitBus) of Barcelona are accessible to the blind. The entrance and exit doors are easily recognizable using the cane and, also, through tactile signals on the sidewalk to the door.
The tram has a voice system that indicates the next station and correspondence related to other lines. The stations communicate by voice when the tram arrives and what is its destination and direction. In addition, a particular sound warns when the tram stops at a traffic light, and not at a station.
New projects
The TMB has equipped with interactive tags the main stations on line 9 South of metro and bus stops in Plaza España and line H12. Smartphones can read them and convert them into sound information. This way blind users can orientate with total autonomy.
No puc esperar!
Since mid-June, the TMB has joined the “No puc esperar” (I cannot wait!) project, in agreement with the Association of Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis of Catalonia (ACCU Catalonia). Patients who suffer from a gastrointestinal illness or an operation for rectal cancer have the “Do not wait” card. Therefore, they will be allowed to use the toilets of the facilities.
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If you need to check the accessibility of the stations of the means of transport, download the free Mapp4all application. You can also assess the accessibility of places and help users to know the accessibility of their environment.
