The Lighthouse of Houston is proud to announce a partnership with RightHear, an Israeli-founded technology company, which specializes in accessibility solutions for people who are blind or low vision. With our installation of the RightHear system, we became the first in Texas to offer this accessibility for individuals who are blind or low vision.
With the implementation of the RightHear system, The Lighthouse of Houston reaffirms its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, always striving to ensure that all employees, clients and visitors can participate in activities, services, and events with greater ease and independence. It exemplifies our commitment to innovation and technology, and our mission to enable and empower people who are blind or low vision to realize their full potential.
“The Lighthouse of Houston building to me, is kind of a labyrinth, and there’s parts of it that I haven’t been to just because my everyday work doesn’t take me there, so I got to learn where things were that I’ve always wondered where they were, and the app just told me,” said Lead Transcriptionist at The Lighthouse of Houston Steven Johnson. “It just made me want to explore more. The more it told me about things that were ahead of me or at intersections if I turn left or right, the more I wanted to check them out, so I ended up exploring the whole building.”
Key features of the RightHear system at The Lighthouse of Houston include:
- Real-Time Audio Assistance: The RightHear mobile app, available for both iOS and Android, provides users with real-time audio guidance and information about The Lighthouse of Houston’s layout, including points of interest such as entrances, restrooms, and more.
- Orientation Assistance: Users can effortlessly acquire better orientation around the building, receive audio descriptions about their surroundings, and easily locate important areas, enhancing their overall experience and independence.
- Event and Service Information: The RightHear system is capable of delivering detailed information about upcoming events, programs, activities, and any relevant announcements, ensuring that everyone is well-informed and can actively participate once they arrive in our building.
“The Lighthouse of Houston’s mission is to enable and empower people who are blind or low vision to realize their full potential, and we are committed to driving full accessibility by embracing technology and innovation,” said The Lighthouse of Houston President Jenna Dhayer. “Our new partnership with RightHear, is a significant step towards our goal of providing an equitable environment that promotes independence for people who are blind or have low vision. We hope that our initiative inspires other organizations and businesses in the Greater Houston area and beyond to prioritize accessibility for all.”
Idan Meir, Co-Founder and CEO of RightHear added:
“It is an extremely proud moment for us to help deliver accessibility to The Lighthouse of Houston’s community. As a social impact company with a focus on accessibility and inclusivity, we are highly motived to continue moving forward and making the world a better place for everyone. Our mission is to make the whole more accessible, one building at a time, and thanks to partners like The Lighthouse of Houston, our mission continues to move forward.”
The RightHear app is available for free on iOS and Android devices.
About The Lighthouse of Houston: For more than 80 years, The Lighthouse of Houston has been supporting individuals who are blind or low vison through our health services, assistive technology resources, community and support programs, vocational skills training, and internal employment opportunities. We are a nonprofit organization that serves over 14,000 individuals annually through our programs, services, activities and events. We foster communities of belonging with accessible resources that enable personal and family well-being, learning, development and employment. Of those we employ, 58% are blind or low vision. Through our Premium Business Services, we offer businesses solutions that matter to help reduce overhead costs, improve efficiencies, increase customer service satisfaction and achieve diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility goals.
About RightHear: RightHear is a leading provider of indoor orientation and audio format signage systems that empower people with visual impairments to acquire better orientation in public and private spaces independently. The RightHear system combines cutting-edge technology with user-friendly mobile apps to help businesses and organizations to achieve greater ADA Compliance and to ultimately create more inclusive environments for all.