As part of our advocacy, #One Accessibility we will share information about differently able and profile one location with accessible trails. Look out every week for this enlightening post.
We come across them everywhere in our daily lives, on bottles of mustard, on the screens of checkout lines, on concert tickets. Often we wonder, what are they for, those boxes made up of geometric shapes? They are QR Codes, scan them and a world of information is at your fingertips! To scan the code you hold your phone or tablet’s camera over the code. Suddenly your phone or tablet uploads a document or video detailing the Code’s product, location, or material. But where did they get their name? Why QR? Well, they are called this because of how fast they provide you with information - a Quick Response! But for simplicity, they are generally called QR Codes. This wonderful technology was first developed for the automotive industry, in Japan, in the 1990s, but has evolved into an amazing assistive technology tool for the disabled. This video, that I created, is a simple demonstration of how to scan a QR CODE:
What may be a mere convenience to some, is a lifeline to others.Today, QR Codes play a significant role in providing accessibility to disabled individuals. This assistive technology is being used on everything from business cards, opening a location on Google Maps, to dialing a phone number.
People with visual impairments are using QR codes to label everything for easy identification. This could range from their clothing, to food items, to files and bank statements. Most cameras on newer model cell phones are able to scan QR Codes directly, but additionally Apps for scanning QR codes are readily available in both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. For example, the Digit-Eyes App for ios can be used to create QR labels for any item, making an audio recording which can be played back on the individual’s iPhone. These QR Codes can be processed as a label on a printer that can be applied to almost any item, or washable labels for clothing. This could be used to determine the age of food, store bank information, or identify the color of a blouse for a visually impaired individual.
Another important application for QR codes is in the area of education. QR Codes are being used in Special Education classes for non-readers. There are free online sites which utilize QR Coded audio lessons for the blind. Teaching Super Kids offers books that blind or special needs children can scan the QR code, and listen to the book auditorily. There is a colorful cartoon picture next to the QR Code. The advantages to QR Codes is that they can be generated to the individual need. In fact you can
For this post I created an interactive QR Code FOR YOU TO SCAN! TRY IT NOW! SCAN THIS QR CODE BELOW WITH YOUR PHONE, AND YOU WILL SEE HOW QR CODES OPEN WEBSITES FOR ACCESSIBILITY! THEN JUST FOLLOW THE LINK BACK HERE!
In my small town of Mandeville, Louisiana, a project called Explore Historic Mandeville, QR Codes at 20 locations that when scanned, bring up information on an individuals phone about that point of interest. My list on #googlemaps Explore Historic Mandeville QR Stations details each of these. I have added the accessibility information about each 20 points of interest to this list on #googlemaps. They can then use the accessibility features of their phone to enjoy it auditorily, visually, or both.
The tour includes the Mandeville Trailhead, the hub of a #wheelchairaccessible, 31 mile asphalt trail, that was originally an old railway corridor. It also has #handicappedparking and #ramp. Additionally, I discovered that the interactive map provided online by the City of Mandeville does not have any handicapped information or accessibility designations available. I formally suggested to the Old Mandeville Historic Association, that accessibility information, such as the international symbol, the blue wheelchair, be added to the interactive map, where appropriate. Their representative stated they will bring the suggestion to City Hall, another instance of #localguides teaming up with their community to increase accessibility!
As you can see there are countless applications for QR codes as assistive technology that enriches lives daily.
If you have a question, suggestion or contribution, feel free to comment below.
You can read last week’s roundup by clicking here , and check the list of our other articles under "Accessibility Uncovered ".
