Pacific Werribee shopping centre in Melbourne’s south-west is now more accessible to Victorians with low vision or blindness following the installation of new wayfinding beacon technology, BindiMaps.
Guide Dogs Victoria has joined forces with BindiMaps, supported by Wyndham City Council to install new navigation technology at Pacific Werribee shopping centre, working to ensure the local Wyndham community is more accessible for people with disability.
The installation was made possible by a Community Strengthening Grant from Wyndham City Council, which is dedicated to making local, public spaces easier and more efficient.
BindiMaps is a smartphone app that uses wayfinding beacon technology to enable people with low vision or blindness to navigate complicated indoor spaces with confidence. It uses a simple language audio system to describe where users are and what is around them, and the best way to get to their chosen destination.
Guide Dogs Victoria CEO Karen Hayes said, “Increased access to public spaces such as at shopping centres is extremely beneficial for the independence and wellbeing of people with low vision or blindness. We are so excited for Pacific Werribee to be a place that provides safe and independent access and hope to see this technology rolled out across many more community sites across the state.”
BindiMaps founder and CEO, Dr Anna Wright said, “While BindiMaps can enhance the shopping experience for any customer, it completely changes the way people with low vision or blindness can safely and independently access indoor spaces.
“Before BindiMaps, a person with low vision or blindness would need significant help from others to be able to do something most of us take for granted, such as accessing our local shopping centre. Our mission is to make every indoor space 100% accessible to everyone”.
Pacific Werribee general manager, Ryan Ling is excited to offer this new service to the Wyndham community. “Pacific Werribee is proud to be working with our community partners to deliver such innovative technology, further providing greater accessibility for our community.”