Italian nature reserve increases access and mobility for the visually impaired with smart bench
Nature Reserve of Monti Pelati and Torre Cives
Vidracco TO, Italy
An Italian nature preserve deployed a smart bench with audio features in order to best serve citizens with visual impairments. The wifi that comes with the bench provides audio that gives citizens historical context on the reserve.
Topics Covered
Cost
Not available
Funding
General Fund/Existing Public Funds
Project Status
Operational since 2021
Gov Champion
Special Nature Preserve
Problem Addressed
A historical nature reserve in Italy wanted to increase access to those with disabilities.
The Special Nature Reserve of Monti Pelati and Torre Cives is a historic nature reserve outside of Turin, northern Italy, featuring the Torre Cives, a defensive tower dating back to the twelfth century. The reserve and the Province of Turin decided that they needed to make the reserve and its history more accessible to citizens and tourists with disabilities, particularly those with visual impairments.
Solutions Used
The reserve implemented a series of interactive totems along the trails that increased access to the trails.
The Special Nature Reserve of Monti Pelati and Torre Cives deployed a series of interactive totems along the trails, including a Canavisia Mira smart bench.
The smart bench came equipped with solar panels, wireless device charging, and free wi-fi. The wifi included in the bench allows for visually impaired citizens and tourists to listen to an audio recording describing the preserve, its historic tower, and the natural mineral present in the nearby mountains. This narration has allowed visitors to learn more about the site, in a way that they wouldn't have been able to do before.
Outcomes
1
The presence of this technology along the paths of the preserve made the dissemination of tourist information and trail guides accessible to visually impaired citizens and tourists.
2
All citizens are now able to use the free Wi-Fi and device charging features while visiting the preserve.
Something Unique
The Special Nature Reserve of Monti Pelati and Torre Cives spans 3 municipalities - Baldissero Canavese, Vidracco and Castellamonte.
Who Should Consider
Municipalities looking to increase accessible recreation in their communities.
Last Updated
May 3rd, 2022Keywords
