Going to the washroom is one of those unavoidable everyday things that most of us don’t even think about, but imagine putting a blindfold on and finding your way around an unfamiliar washroom… This is the reality for over 2.2 million UK residents and their families but thanks to a new audio device called RoomMate, those days are gone.
RoomMates are designed and programmed for each facility; activating on entry and providing an audio description, starting with the location of the toilet and ending with how to exit. Activation is achieved with just a simple wave of the hand which ensures inclusion for every user.
“What is the ADi ROOM MATE ?”
The RoomMate is an electronic, wall-mounted device, which offers Blind and Visually Impaired visitors bespoke audio description in a disabled access toilet.
Each unit also comes complete with a high visibility door sign to indicate that the facility has an ADi RoomMate installed.
How it works
On entering the disabled access toilet an audio announcement is triggered and the unit advises that a recorded description of the room is available.
If the user is visually impaired and requires the description, they are then given the instruction to wave their hand in front of the unit to activate.
The unit is placed to the left or right of the door frame at mid-height and the initial announcement advises which side of the door the unit is placed and has the addition of 4 sonic pings after the announcement, to guide the user to it.
There are 2 sets of identical phrases giving a sequenced description. The first set allows the visually impaired user to form a mental picture of the room, whilst the repeated set enables the user to navigate within the room.
This mains unit is delivered pre-programmed for each location and is thus ready for immediate installation.
The volume is variable to allow for varying environmental noise factors.
If features within the facility are altered at any time in the future new instructions can be entered on-site.
The unit is delivered pre-programmed so it is ready for immediate installation. It can be re-programmed if features within the facility are altered in the future.
After successful trials with a number of high profile clients including Eden Project, The Palace of Westminster, National Maritime Museum and Jamie Olivers Fifteen restaurant, RoomMates are now being rolled out across the U.K. with Network Rail, Tesco, The National Trust and Mercure Hotels.
