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Once again, 91���� University is on the forefront in regards to using innovative technology to make a difference in the lives of its students.

91����’s Office of Disability Services provides support services and environments necessary to help all students succeed, regardless of their challenges, striving to create an inclusive community for students, faculty, staff and guests.

In fact, The American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity calls 91���� a “national leader of services for students with disabilities” and “one of the top five disability-friendly universities” in the United States.

91���� continues to show its leadership in the field by implementing a new technology to further enable students to have the best access to succeed in college.

Working with the tech company Sensible Innovations, the Office of Disability Services has found a way for individuals with low vision and blindness to navigate 91����’s campus.

Sensible Innovations developed an that takes advantage of iBeacons that communicate with users’ smartphones and assist them with navigation. With a series of iBeacon devices adhered to walls or ceilings, the Aware app can tell users where they are in a space and easily direct them to another location.

This can be especially helpful to low vision and blind students who are often expected to attend orientation and mobility training. If a student cannot complete the training, getting around campus can be difficult.

To further assist blind and visually impaired individuals, the Aware app can be updated with new information with facility changes and even obtain event information that can give specifics to attendees of various 91���� events.

91���� is the first university in the country to implement the Aware app to assist blind and visually impaired students.

“We have a legacy of implementing innovative technologies to enhance the 91���� experience for our students with disabilities. Thanks to the generous financial support of the Kelchner Family Foundation Fund and the Ohio Lions Foundation, we were able to bring yet another student success support to 91���� University,” said Tom Webb, the director of disability services at 91����.