Camden’s The Roundhouse to implement digital navigation aid for blind and partially sighted people

The Roundhouse will be the first London music venue to implement NaviLens, a digital navigation aid for blind and partially sighted people.

NaviLens utilises QR codes and a free app that provide real-time audio navigation assistance in multiple languages, allowing users to make their way around the venue independently — The Roundhouse believes the new technology will ensure it is an “inclusive hub” for young people in the capital.

The Camden-based venue invited the Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) and Victa to trail the technology last year as part of a series of DJ and podcast workshops.

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Now, The Roundhouse has announced that it has incorporated NaviLens throughout the site, including its main music venue, Roundhouse Works and creative studios.

“Incorporating NaviLens across our entire estate demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity and marks us out as an industry leader in this space,” says The Roundhouse’s CEO and Artistic Director Marcus Davey.

“We couldn’t have done it without the support from NaviLens and also those young people from the Royal Society for Blind Children and Victa who helped us trial the technology in our creative spaces.”

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“The sessions affirmed the transformative potential of accessible technology, which is part of the continuous improvement of digital accessibility at the Roundhouse,” he continues. “The feedback received was invaluable and will inform future developments alongside NaviLens, including development of our technical equipment and the expansion of accessible creative opportunities.”

“We are absolutely thrilled to collaborate with the Roundhouse and help make their incredible venue more accessible to even more people,” says NaviLens CEO Javier Pita. “Our mission at NaviLens is to create a world where all individuals, including those who are blind or partially sighted, can access the information they need to enjoy the full spectrum of cultural, social and educational experiences.”

“Working with the Roundhouse, a leader in all these sectors, is an exciting opportunity to further our vision of an accessible world for all,” he adds.

For more information on The Roundhouse and NaviLens, click here.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag’s Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter