City tours in audio format are nothing new. On Wednesday, however, the city of Bern presented an app that combines audio tours with tactile elements and can be operated independently for blind and visually impaired people. The energy supplier EWB, BLS, and Verkehrsbund Bernmobil participated in the development of the app, according to a joint communication. Specialist teams and organizations for the disabled have also worked on the development.

The app guides users to the Länggasse and Kirchenfeld quarters. The locations of the tour are described orally, which allows people to imagine the locations. Strong contrasts between the text and the background made it possible for the app to be used without barriers.

The app is initially available as a beta version for half a year. After that, a decision should be made on future operation and further development. According to the city of Bern, the app fulfills two important goals of the city. On the one hand, this would expand the range of digital services. On the other hand, the city of Bern advocates inclusion and accessibility beyond digitization. The costs for the app are borne by the project partners and amount to 150,000 francs.

(translated from German by Xiaoyan Hu)

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