Navigating the workplace

Being able to move or navigate around the workplace independently and safely to either perform work tasks or access meal and bathroom facilities can be critical to an individual’s success and productivity at work.

Workplace solutions and adjustments

There are a range of aids and supports that allow people that are blind or vision impaired to move around the workplace safely and with confidence.

Navigating and accessing a building can be facilitated by:

• hand rails
• pathways
• ramps

There are tactile, visual and sound aids that support navigation:

• braille maps
• floor edging—coloured
• locator dots
• signage—large print and reflective
• signage—talking signs and verbal landmark systems
• sonic pathfinders and guides
• talking GPS systems

Mobility and orientation training can also help people to recognise the best way to get around and use the navigation aids to their benefit:

• orientation sessions and training

(Vision Australia 2007; Guide Dogs NSW/ACT 2007)

Other job requirements or solutions

• accessing the premises
• moving around the workplace
• orientation to place
• travelling to and from work

References

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT 2007, Moving around safely, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, Chatswood, viewed 24 August 2007,
http://www.guidedogs.com.au/Moving-around-safely.html

Vision Australia 2007, Accessible Design for Public Buildings, Vision Australia, Enfield viewed 24 August 2007,
http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=721

Vision Australia 2007, Talking GPS Systems, Vision Australia, Enfield, viewed 24 August 2007, http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=1241