James Madison University hosted a group of high school students to try out Microsoft Soundscape, with hopes of figuring out whether or not college is a good fit for them.
What is Microsoft Soundscape?
Microsoft Soundscape is a GPS app that uses a series of ticks and bells to track every step and give directions. Microsoft Soundscapes is a free app for all users.
Did James Madison University collaborate with anyone else on this project?
JMU, Central Region Nordic Alliance (CRNA), Microsoft Soundscape, and Virginia Department for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VDBVI) came together to give the students a taste of college life. They slept in the residence halls, ate in the dining halls and most importantly, learned to navigate a larger space with new technology.
What was the objective of this project?
Those involved hope this fresh technology will make higher education more accessible and more appealing to students who are visually impaired or blind.
“The overall point of us partnering with James Madison University is to help [the students] understand all the opportunities the university can provide when they are making choices about what they want to do post-high school,” said Pam Cato with VDBVI.
She says the program also enhances the student’s sense of independence.
JMU is the first institution in Virginia to have Soundscape on campus. This emphasizes the university’s vision to create an inclusive community.
