Point of Interest

A point of interest (POI) is a specific location or feature in a physical environment that is relevant to a user's navigation or understanding of their surroundings. In accessible wayfinding systems for blind and low-vision users, POIs include landmarks, obstacles, entrances, tactile ground surfaces, benches, curb cuts, and other features that help users orient themselves, confirm their location, or navigate safely. The identification and description of POIs is a core component of accessible navigation apps, as blind travelers rely on environmental features that sighted people may take for granted—such as texture changes underfoot, sound-producing landmarks, or detectable edges—to build mental maps of unfamiliar spaces.