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National Trust site trials technology to aid partially-sighted people
Saltram in Plymouth is using an app to support visitors in navigating spaces with minimal assistance
The National Trust's 18th-century house Saltram in Plymouth has become the first outdoor cultural site in the UK to trial NaviLens, a digital navigation aid designed for partially-sighted visitors.
NaviLens is a free app that enables users to navigate spaces with minimal or no assistance. The trust hopes that NaviLens will improve access to heritage and nature for visitors to Saltram.
The technology is currently in use on transport systems across Spain and in some parts of the US and UK, as well as in some museums and UK supermarkets.
The app, currently on trial until 25 October, uses QR-style codes for visitors to detect using their phones. At Saltram, as the NaviLens app picks up nearby codes, users receive spoken-word information providing navigational and interpretative content relevant to the site's historic garden setting.
The codes are placed along a route through the garden, allowing users to experiment with the technology in a controlled setting. The route was tested by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and a test group with lived experience in May this year. Testing found that the app provides blind and partially sighted individuals with greater independence in spaces they might not have otherwise explored.
The public trial aims to understand how both blind and partially-sighted visitors can be better supported in accessing heritage and nature at Saltram. The results of the trial will inform whether the NaviLens technology is introduced at other National Trust locations.
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Natalie Haly, project manager for the National Trust at Saltram, said: “This trial is incredibly exciting as it marks a first for the National Trust, and we are thrilled that it's happening right here in Plymouth. It allows us to explore how this innovative technology can enhance our visitors' access to heritage and nature. This initiative is a significant step in our ongoing journey to ensure everyone feels truly welcome at Saltram.”
A spokesperson for NaviLens said: “NaviLens is thrilled to be working with the National Trust at Saltram to enhance the visitor experience for those who are blind or partially-sighted. By integrating NaviLens’ innovative technology, we are making Saltram’s rich history, architecture, and grounds accessible to everyone.
“NaviLens codes can be scanned from much further away than regular codes and can be detected from wide angles and while on the move. Additionally, the information is automatically translated into 37 different languages, benefiting global visitors as well. This collaboration not only enhances inclusivity but also enriches cultural engagement for all visitors.”
In the last financial year the National Trust invested £5.5m in improving physical access to its sites for disabled people at more than 150 locations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Developments include the construction of new accessible pathways, the installation of facilities such as Changing Places toilets, and new equipment such as all-terrain mobility vehicles.