UK: ‘Talking toilet’ devices which provide visually impaired users with bespoke audio descriptions of the facilities are being installed in the accessible toilets at 44 stations served by Northern.
Users wave a hand over the wall-mounted RoomMate unit to trigger a detailed explanation of the room in order of typical use. Phrases can include ‘the toilet is on the wall facing you’, ‘the toilet tissue is on the wall to your left’, ‘there is a single lever tap’ and ’the exit door handle is on the right of the door’.
Installation is being funded from Northern’s accessibility fund, which has seen 13 projects chosen by the independent Northern Accessibility User Group granted up to £50 000 each. This includes fitting handrails, ramps and automatic doors at stations, as well as schemes to encourage people with visible and invisible disabilities to use public transport.
