Remote signage is a way of telling people who have vision or print impairments things they need to know about their surroundings. In addition to the estimated 1. I million people who are legally blind (Chiang, et al, 1992) and those low vision people who may not be able to see the print, there are many stroke, head-injured, or dyslexic persons who may not be able to assimilate printed language. Additionally, there are those who are retarded or have a learning disability.Infrared remote signage currently provides signs for people who are visually handicapped that are functionally equivalent to signs for people who are sighted-, they provide direction, distance and content information about objects or locations that are "tagged" with transmitters.Interest in advanced technological solutions to accessible signage continues in the current round of ADA Access Board hearings. The Board writes (Federal Register, Dec. 21, 1992) that it " .. has not proposed a requirement for tactile or Braille signage (for street names, bus stops and bus route information] at this time because. of emerging technologies piloted in this country and in Europe suggest that tactile signage mav not be the most effective way of providing such information." The direction of a federal mandate for technological advances in this area are clear.
Keywords: Signage, Infrared, Remote, Transponder, Blind, Print-Impairment, Wavefinding, ADASummary: At the conclusion of Phases I and II, we anticipate a well researched, tested and designed product ready for production. The device will be a new and novel extension of the existing Sn-Lith-Kettlewell and Love Electronics Infrared Talking Signs for people who are visually disabled. This unit will offer lower cost, light-powered signage which will provide direction information as well as user-selectable, multiple messages. The unit will be easily reprogrammed at the location of the "sign" (bv shop owner, etc.) to include changing or special information.Because the proposed system is photovottiac, the reduction in installation cost where there is power and practicality of installation where there is no power will promote widespread use of infrared remote signage for the target populations.
