TACTILE CUES AID EMERGENCY ESCAPE
December 1st 2004

For the benefit of blind or visually impaired people, SOS Waypoint supplies an illuminated emergency way-guidance system that includes tactile cues.

Fixed along a fire escape route at waist height, the system uses two distinctly different shapes to impart information. The first is a wedge that feels smooth when the user runs a hand across it in the direction that leads to the normally available fire door. In the other direction, the user feels the rising edge of the wedge that impedes movement, indicating wrong direction.

A set of three bumps indicates a 90° change of direction is needed.

Also available is a fitand- forget doorplate with two tactile patterns that give different information.

The upper pattern identifies the door as part of an escape route; the lower pattern indicates the direction to go after passing through the door.