Link ANA (Link NYC + Assistive Navigation Access)
Under the course ‘Design in Public Space’ at the School of Visual Arts, my teammates (James Z. Vanié, Julian F. Gonzalez) and I worked with “Intersection” to explore ways the Link NYC can support neighborhood activities. We shared a common interest in universal design and focused on accessibility of LinkNYC. We found out there are nearly 1 million people with severe visual impairment in NYC, but the city is completely lacking on accessibility. We conducted various research including ethnographic research, expert interviews, participation, and competitive analysis to know what are their pain points and how design and technology can help them. As a solution, we suggested Link ANA, Assistive Navigation Access, a system that facilitates the blind and visually impaired people of NYC with more travel independence and comfort while moving through the city.
Year2016AffiliationSVA MFA Interaction DesignRoleResearch, UX/UI DesignCollaboratorsJames Z. Vanié, Julian F. GonzalezLinkvimeo.com
There are 120,000 blind people in NYC,
and nearly a million people with severe visual impairment
and nearly a million people with severe visual impairment
But the problem is they are not being included in the conversation
of how the city should be designed.
of how the city should be designed.
Research Methods
To have empathy for the daily lives of the blind and visually impaired person,
we conducted various research methods.
we conducted various research methods.
Start from Base camp for visually impaired people
We chose the Lincoln Center as our target neighborhood where Lighthouse Guild NYC is located in.
Lighthouse Guild is an organization helping people who are blind or visually impaired, including those with
multiple disabilities or chronic medical conditions lead productive, dignified and fulfilling lives.
Lighthouse Guild is an organization helping people who are blind or visually impaired, including those with
multiple disabilities or chronic medical conditions lead productive, dignified and fulfilling lives.
The city is completely lacking on accessibility
There are many accessible interfaces (MTA, ATM, Trans) but most are not user friendly
and less available functions especially in the weather like heavy snow.
and less available functions especially in the weather like heavy snow.
How might we facilitate the blind and
visually impaired people of NYC with more travel independence
and comfort while moving through the city?
visually impaired people of NYC with more travel independence
and comfort while moving through the city?
Key Insights
Develop a conceptual framework
Based on our findings and insights through research,
we developed a unique accessibility system which connects Link to mobile devices
to help people navigate the city independently using LinkNYC network.
we developed a unique accessibility system which connects Link to mobile devices
to help people navigate the city independently using LinkNYC network.
Introducing Link ANA
Link ANA, which is the Assistive Navigation Access system, facilitates the blind and visually impaired people of NYC
with more travel independence and comfort while moving through the city.
with more travel independence and comfort while moving through the city.
Set up the LinkANA
User can register his/her mobile device via email before approaching a LINK in order to access wifi, and can set up the accessibility preferences in the app, enabling ANA.
LinkANA is a feature that will alert a LINK when a user is in front of it and automatically activate the accessibility features of the links interface:
• Voice enabled Navigation
• Talk Back
• Screen Magnification
• Screen Contrast Controls
Realtime navigation
Google maps + Beacon (Eddystone)
Real time information about location
Real time information about location
Transportation Landmark
Uber and Lyft Integration
Small fleet of buses and Shuttle request
Special pick-up area
Small fleet of buses and Shuttle request
Special pick-up area
Mobile compatibility
Information about transportation schedules
and live traffic can be pushed to users’ devices
and live traffic can be pushed to users’ devices
App Functionality
We used three apparent gesture interactions to operate the ANA app easily.
Kiosk Functionality
Link kiosk will automatically activate the accessibility features
when a user who registered LinkANA is in front of it.
when a user who registered LinkANA is in front of it.
All Screens
