Category: Project

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Built Environment Digital Information Innovation Project

Spotlight on Innovative Projects

Advancing Universal Design and Inclusion

We are on the brink of transformative change that promises to enhance inclusion for individuals who are blind, deafblind, or partially sighted. Earlier this summer, two groundbreaking project applications were submitted to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), led by prominent institutions: the Shared Reality Lab at McGill University and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). These initiatives unite a distinguished consortium of partners, including the University of British Columbia’s Special Education Department, BC Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired, and the Institute Nazareth et Louis Braille. 

Gateway Navigation: A Catalyst for Change 

Gateway Navigation plays a pivotal role in fostering dynamic collaborations aimed at addressing universal design and accessibility needs. With its expertise in bridging diverse institutions, Gateway Navigation is instrumental in spearheading projects that tackle pressing accessibility challenges. 

Project 1: Equitable Access to Reading Materials 

Lead Applicant: Shared Reality Lab, McGill University
Supported By: University of British Columbia’s Special Education Department, BC Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired 

Objective: This project targets significant barriers for blind and low-vision (BLV) students, especially concerning access to educational materials with graphics. The goals are to: 

  • Produce curated content in alternative formats. 
  • Develop an accessible online repository hosted initially at McGill University. 
  • Release all code and documentation as open-source under GPL/AGPL licenses. 
  • Utilize technologies like the Humanware APH Monarch dynamic pin array tablet to offer interactive, rich experiences in BRF/eBRF, audio, and AI-enhanced audio-tactile formats. 

Key Activities: 

  • Content Curation: Collaborate with educators to select materials for conversion. 
  • Document Format Development: Create and refine document formats and audio rendering. 
  • Web-Based Engine Development: Build an engine for interactive experiences. 
  • User Evaluation: Refine experiences based on feedback from BLV students and teachers. 
  • Content Storage and Access: Implement and maintain a server-based system. 

Expected Outcomes: 

  • Enhanced access to educational materials for BLV students. 
  • Creation of accessible reading units. 
  • Development of an AI-assisted pipeline for multimodal educational documents. 
  • Positive feedback from at least 50 teachers and students. 

Project 2: Inclusivity in Motion: Living Lab for Assistive Indoor Navigation 

Lead Applicant: British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
Supported By: Gateway Navigation, McGill University’s Shared Reality Lab, INBL – Institute Nazareth et Louis Braille, Aira Explorer Innovation Group 

Objective: The Inclusivity in Motion project aims to improve indoor navigation through accessible digital maps and smart wearables. The focus is on enhancing independence and safety in complex environments such as airports and shopping centres. 

Key Activities: 

  • Digital Map Creation: Develop accessible, real-time digital indoor maps. 
  • Smart Wearable Integration: Incorporate smart wearables for seamless navigation. 
  • Living Lab Implementation: Pilot tests at Vancouver and Montreal transportation hubs. 
  • Public Education: Raise awareness about inclusivity and accessibility. 

Expected Outcomes: 

  • Increased accessibility for over 1.4 million people with disabilities. 
  • Enhanced public awareness of inclusivity and accessibility. 
  • Professional development opportunities in universal design for students from BCIT and McGill. 

Call to Action 

As we await the outcome of these funding applications, we invite like-minded individuals and organizations to connect with us. Let’s collaborate to drive the future of universal design and inclusion.  

If you share our vision and are interested in exploring partnership opportunities, please reach out. Let’s join forces to remove barriers and advance inclusion, paving the way for a more accessible and inclusive future for all. Email us at: partners@gnc3.com 

 

 

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Categories
Internet News Project

Influencing Change Begins with Participation

McGill Shared Reality Lab Is Recruiting Users of the Internet Who Are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision to Participate in the IMAGE Project

McGill University in Partnership with Gateway Navigation CCC Ltd and the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) is seeking individuals with lived experience to participate in the planning, design, testing and trialing of assistive technology.  This technology is being developed to enable persons who are blind, deaf-blind, or low vision to more independently, quickly, and effortlessly interpret currently inaccessible graphical image content published to the internet.

Through a quarterly consultation process, participants will provide online and possible in-person feedback to the McGill Research Team. There will be a number of consultations starting with initial feedback on the planned R&D to be undertaken and ending with participants trialing the beta versions of the assistive technology developed.  The first two quarterly consultations are expected to require approximately one hour to complete. As the project progresses, and the developed products advance towards commercialization, two to three hours per quarter will be required.

Beyond the requirement that participants have lived experience in the area of using non-visual technology to access the internet, those with all levels of skill and knowledge are encouraged to participate. Participation is on a voluntary basis.

No compensation is being offered for your participation, but all participants will be kept updated on our progress and be able to use the assistive technology software prototypes being developed, with our thanks and acknowledgement of their individual contribution to the success of this project.

At present, we are recruiting only participants aged 18 years and above. Those interested in participating or learning more about the project are invited to take part in our initial questionnaire at the links listed below:

Survey in English

Sondage en français

McGill Image Project Website

For more information on Gateway Navigation’s role in the IMAGE Project or the other projects and services we support. Visit our website at www.gnc3.com or email us at image@gnc3.com

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Categories
News Project

#NAW: National Accessibility Week and our New Initiatives

Working Together to Remove Barriers

At Gateway Navigation we live and breathe inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability 365 days of the year. National Accessibility Week #NAW. Reminds us to take this moment to share with everyone. The exciting initiatives we are partnering to create a Barrier Free Canada as imagined  by persons who live disability everyday.

McGill IMAGE (Internet Multi-Modal Access to Graphical Exploration) Project

On Wednesday, June 2nd McGill University and Gateway Navigation joined the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB), weekly national Zoom meeting Getting Together with Technology (GTT).

The presentation was an overview of the IMAGE Project. Being led by McGill University’s Shared Reality Lab. In strategic partnership with Gateway Navigation CCC Ltd and the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB). The project, funded by Innovation Science Economic Development Canada through the Assistive Technology Program.

The presentation kicked off the McGill IMAGE project’s outreach to all internet users who are blind, deaf-blind, or low vision. The project is actively recruiting volunteer participants to work with the research team, in developing tools for exploring internet graphical images. The vast majority of which are not accessible to non-visual users.

The project’s objective is to develop multi-modal feedback (audio, touch, and vibration) tools enabling users to gain a deeper understanding that is equal or superior to their sighted peers.

To get involved or for more information click on the link below:

https://bach.cim.mcgill.ca/atp/

Public Services Procurement Canada (PSPC) Seminar

On Friday, June 4th we co-presented to Public Services Procurement Canada (PSPC) Office Small Medium Enterprise (OSME) in Pacific Region.

A one-hour seminar focused on the built environment and digital inclusion. Titled Designing Welcoming Communities. A Case Study in Action. Presentation panelists included experts on sustainable architectural design, digital 3D modeling, assistive technology, and venue management.

The workshop covered inclusive audio-based augmented reality and sustainability. Including a case study review and interactive demonstration of the Accessibuild / CF Pacific Centre Mall digital indoor wayfinding app pilot currently being beta tested in downtown Vancouver.

Jim Taggart FRAIC Introductory Remarks to Presentation:

As a former architect who left the profession because of a degenerative eye condition, I have multiple reasons to be interested in the evolution of digital technology that can facilitate interior navigation for those who cannot see.  In my current role, as both a Director of Gateway Navigation and the editor of Sustainable Architecture and Building Magazine, I am in the unique and privileged position to help bridge the gap between the building designers and building users.

Over the past few years, we have seen interior navigation  technology develop from the physical installation of blue tooth beacons with their restricted range of transmission, installation, and maintenance costs; through wi-fi fingerprinting, more flexible in its application but subject to inconsistencies in transmission and reception; to a flexible, economic, unobtrusive, and reliable Lidar scanning system - which we will hear more about in a few minutes.

From an architect’s perspective, Lidar offers maximum flexibility as the data it uses can either be sourced from a virtual 3-D model of the building as it is being designed; or acquired through an in-person scan  of the completed building. While this still leaves us assembling the necessary data one building at a time, both the acquisition process and accessibility for users is simpler and more flexible.

While COVID has certainly heightened the architectural profession’s interest in universal access, this interest has been growing for some time. I believe the profession is looking for guidance on this issue and, in some cases, architectural firms are ahead of the legislative curve. Major firms are seeking certification from the Rick Hansen Foundation for example, even though this is a voluntary standard. In one case, a firm that specializes in the design of community centres and swimming pools has created an open standard for the design of universal change rooms, because no such standard is available elsewhere

I believe all this positions us at a very exciting point in the evolution of building design, with the momentum around universal accessibility growing rapidly as information is shared and new initiatives undertaken.

If you have questions or would like more information on the pilot or workshop please contact us by email at: partners@gnc3.com

An exciting week of announcements and projects dedicated to removing barriers and creating inclusive, accessible, and sustainable solutions.

Visit our website to find out more about us and our services at link: www.gnc3.com/about

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Categories
News Project

Inclusive Audio-Based Indoor Navigation Pilot

Update: CF-Pacific Centre Pilot A Case Study

In December 2020, we announced the pilot underway at CF-Pacific Centre. In partnership with:

Y4U, creators of the Accessibuild app to assist people with disabilities to navigate the built environment more easily and confidently around them.  Y4U Technologies Inc. is a North Bay, Ontario company specializing in 3D architectural modeling and software development.

Canadian Council of the Blind is a member-based organization of people who are blind, deaf-blind, or visually impaired. The National Office in Ottawa supports over 70 chapters across Canada with many objectives including awareness, education, and accessibility.

Cadillac Fairview possesses one of North America’s finest portfolios of retail and office properties including their flagship malls across Canada.

Gateway Navigation is a member and supplier of Buy Social Canada committed to building business relationships that generate social benefits to communities across the country. Upholding standards, best practices, and the Accessible Canada Act Principle of “nothing about us; without us” in the implementation of inclusive audio-based indoor navigation systems.

Overview

Objective of the pilot is to create an inclusive audio-based interactive indoor wayfinding system that is accessible to everyone. While providing a case study for implementing a solution economically sustainable and scalable for venue owners and managers to implement across Canada and globally.

Design and implementation of the Accessibuild CF-Pacific Centre App Pilot can be categorized into five progressive stages:

  • Gather venue LiDAR data.
  • Create 3D architectural map of venue.
  • Convert 3D map and download to Accessibuild platform.
  • Test and trial Alpha and Beta Versions of the app.
  • Launch of App and ongoing feedback by venue and app users.

Stage: 1: Gather Venue LiDAR Data

As outlined in the December 16, 2020 post, early in December, Kickstart, a local BC company specializing in LiDAR scan technology, worked a night shift compiling one hundred and twenty laser light scans of Cadillac Fairview’s flagship mall in Vancouver, CF Pacific Centre. The mall stretches three city blocks, starting at Robson Street to the south and extending to Pender Street at the north, including the large food court connecting the Mall to the Heritage Hudson Bay Building.

The highly accurate data gathered using LiDAR scans produces data accurate up to a millimetre or the thickness of a dime.

To view the full December announcement, click here to read.

What is LiDAR technology click here for more information.

Stage 2: Create 3D architectural map of Venue

Y4U has a high level of expertise in converting the point cloud data gathered through the LiDAR scan of the venue and converting it into an industry standard 3D architectural map. Including labeling of architectural elements such as doorways, stairs, elevators, floor surfaces, wall fixtures, chairs, tables, etc. All with an accuracy within millimetres.

Stage 3: Convert 3D map and download to Accessibuild platform

In February 2021, Y4U converted the data point cloud gathered by the LiDAR scans into a digital 3D architectural map of the main level of CF Pacific Centre. They then download the essential elements of that map to their Accessibuild platform, following the voluntary standards set out in the Consumer Technology Association. Outlined in the recommendations of the CTA inclusive indoor and outdoor audio-based navigation system for all persons.

What is the CTA standard click here for more information?

Stage 4: Test and trial Alpha and Beta Versions of the app

In March 2021, Y4U will release the Alpha version of the Pilot’s App to the project partners for feedback and recommendations. Software goes through two stages of testing before it is considered finished. The first stage, called alpha testing, is often completed only by a small group of users involved in the project and does not contain all the features to be included in the beta and final version.

The Beta version testing will begin later in March or early April with a group of stakeholders as part of the pilot’s co-design commitment and recommendations stated in the CTA standard and Accessible Canada Act.

A co-design approach permits a wide range of people to make a creative contribution in the formulation and solution of a problem. This is elaborated upon in the ITU / Wayfinddr open standard and it’s supporting certificate program.

What is the ITU Wayfindr Open Standard click here for more information?

What is the ITU Wayfindr certificate program click here for more information?.

Gateway Navigation CCC Ltd. personnel, who have overseen the collaboration from inception, will then engage with Cadillac Fairview, local community stakeholders, accessibility consultants and orientation mobility professionals to beta test the Accessibuild app and platform. Feedback from that engagement will result in recommendations to enhance the audio-based augmented reality experience delivered to users.

Beta timeline may be delayed depending on local COVID restrictions in effect. However, initial testing will be possible through the virtual exploration feature of the app.

Stage 5: Launch of App and ongoing feedback by venue and app users

Progressing through the pilot, we look forward to providing updates leading up to and following the launch of the Accessibuild app late Spring 2021. This includes ongoing feedback through actively engaging experiences and recommendations from Accessibuild app users. Helping to ensure the ABN result meets users needs, is inclusive and accessible.

Many thanks to Kim Ficocelli, General Manager CF-Pacific Centre and the exceptional team at Cadillac Fairview for their commitment and willingness to partner with us on this community project. Thanks also to David Martin who took the time to write the letter to introduce Gateway Navigation CCC Ltd. to the Cadillac Fairview team.

Please feel free to contact us at: mailto:partners@gnc3.comwith any questions, feedback or leads for future projects.

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