St Clair Station beacon project

The TTC is testing new ‘beacon’ technology at St Clair Station as part of a larger accessibility initiative underway in the Yonge and St Clair area for people with low vision. Increasing accessibility features throughout the TTC system is a key piece of the TTC’s 2018-2022 Corporate Plan. This is one example of how technology can be used to enhance the customer experience.

The beacons, which are installed throughout St Clair Station and businesses at Yonge and St Clair, transmit information to an app called BlindSquare Event. The app verbally guides people through the station or participating businesses while providing users with a description of their surroundings; including location name, the layout or floor plan and the goods or services that are available. The app also gives customers additional information, such as where bus stops are located and the names of the roads they are walking along. The BlindSquare Event app is available in many different languages and is free to download on Apple devices from the App Store.

The beacon project is being led by the CNIB in partnership with the Rick Hansen Foundation.

For more information about CNIB’s initiative on their website. 

To learn more about BlindSquare Event app, please visit their website.