In Churriana de la Vega, 30 accessible beacons have been installed in public buildings and public spaces. This will give people with hearing or visual impairments greater autonomy. This technology was specifically enabled at the City Council and in the Municipal Culture Center, Health Center, Municipal Sports Center, Municipal Youth Center, Municipal Youth Center, and Pensioner’s Home.
The City Council announced that they are looking into the possibility of developing the same initiative in educational centres and other points of cultural or historical interest, such as the old laundry and the parish church at La Visitacion, and the Hermitage de Nuestra Senora de la Cabeza, and the Open Air Sculpture Museum at Churriana de la Vega.
This new technology, called ‘Outbarriers,’ will allow visually impaired people to create a mental map of their environment. Smart beacons are installed to guide visitors to the entrance and inform them about any obstacles. The Municipal Center of Culture can be accessed by a neighbor. They will be able to navigate themselves from the main entrance to the various sections, such as the theatre, social services, or library. They also know the locations of the elevators, toilets, or ramps.
Outbarriers and the City Council of Churriana de la Vega will provide free training and information to help new users understand how beacons work. The Churriana de la Vega Urban Comfort Plan 2019-2023 includes smart beacon installation. It was developed by the City Council as well as ‘La Ciudad Accesible, which aims to create an urban environment that encourages social participation and equal opportunities.
To access the accessible beacon, you only need an Android or iPhone smartphone. It is accessible to all residents and visitors thanks to universal accessibility technology. Other mobile apps, free of charge, are also available to promote accessibility services for tourists and citizens.