LocalEyes: Accessible GPS and Points of Interest
Jason Behmer, Stillman Knox · 2010 · Proceedings of the 12th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2010) · doi:10.1145/1878803.1878893
Summary
This student research paper presents LocalEyes, an open-source Android application that provides accessible GPS and points-of-interest information for blind and low-vision users. The authors identify that existing accessible GPS devices like the Trekker Talking GPS cost between one and several thousand dollars and are single-purpose stand-alone units, while mainstream GPS apps on smartphones are visually oriented and inaccessible. LocalEyes addresses this gap by leveraging standard consumer smartphone technology and Google's freely available location data to create a multi-modal, configurable navigation tool. The application features two interface modes: a non-visual interface where all output is spoken via text-to-speech with input through screen taps and simple gestures, and a visual interface with large, high-contrast text and adjustable font sizes for low-vision users. Users can choose from display themes including white-on-black, black-on-white, blue-on-yellow, or a no-screen-display mode. On launch, users tap the screen to get their current location and compass heading. Points of interest are then loaded in the background, organized by whether they are in front of or behind the user and sorted by distance, with compass direction provided (e.g., "Starbucks 50m N").
Key findings
LocalEyes demonstrates several practical design decisions for accessible navigation. Points of interest can be filtered by category (restaurants, coffee shops, etc.) and browsed via scroll gestures, with the back button resetting the list to the user's current position for easy reorientation. The multi-modal design allows users to toggle between visual and audio output, or use both simultaneously. The application uses compass heading to provide directional context — distinguishing walking direction (from GPS movement) from facing direction (from compass when stationary). The choice of Google's freely available web services for points-of-interest data ensures the information stays current without requiring users to purchase proprietary map updates. The application was implemented for Android with an iPhone version in development, and the authors planned to add refreshable Braille display output. While no formal user study had been conducted at the time of publication, the application represented a significant cost reduction over commercial alternatives — running on smartphones costing several hundred dollars that also serve many other accessible purposes.
Relevance
LocalEyes represents an early example of the shift from expensive, dedicated assistive navigation devices toward accessible apps on mainstream smartphones — a transition that has since transformed accessible navigation. The key principles demonstrated remain relevant today: multi-modal output (speech, large text, Braille), configurable high-contrast display options, directional context for points of interest (not just distance), and leveraging freely available data sources. For accessibility practitioners, the project illustrates that cost is a significant barrier to assistive technology adoption, and that building on mainstream consumer platforms can dramatically improve both affordability and functionality. The emphasis on enabling users to explore new places independently — not just follow prescribed routes — reflects an important distinction between navigation tools that support independence versus those that merely provide directions.
Tags: visual impairment · GPS navigation · mobile accessibility · points of interest · wayfinding · low vision · assistive technology