Innovative Design Enhances Accessibility for the Visually Impaired

A groundbreaking project, “Sightwalks – Veredas that guide,” has garnered notable recognition for its innovative approach to enhancing urban accessibility for individuals with visual impairments.This initiative, developed by Cement Sol in collaboration with organizations such as the National Union of the blind of Peru and the NGO I am your eyes, introduces a novel podotactile tile system designed to complement existing navigational aids.

The Core Concept: Tactile Guidance systems

The “sightwalks” system utilizes a series of tactile lines on specially designed tiles, allowing visually impaired pedestrians to identify nearby services, such as banks or restaurants, by simply counting the lines with their canes. This low-tech, large-scale design demonstrates the profound impact that thoughtful product development can have on improving the daily lives and autonomy of people with disabilities.

According to the World Health organization, an estimated 285 million people are visually impaired worldwide, with 39 million being blind. Innovations like “Sightwalks” are crucial in creating more inclusive and accessible urban environments for this significant population.

Recognition and Accolades

The “Sightwalks” project has received widespread acclaim, including the prestigious Great Eye of the Category and the Great Lasting Eye at El Ojo Design awards. Susana Pérez Bermejo,Executive Creative Director of Proximity Madrid,who presided over the Design,emphasized the collaborative effort required to bring such a simple yet impactful idea to fruition.

Our criteria has been to recognize ideas that could be rewarded only in this design category…It is also an idea that improves the lives of people, very generous, and that it will be possible to implement it in almost the whole world and in which design has been absolutely essential.
susana Pérez Bermejo, Executive Creative Director of Proximity Madrid

In addition to the top honors, the jurors of El Ojo Design awarded 5 gold, 11 silver, and 12 bronze prizes, highlighting the project’s exceptional design and potential for global impact.

Global potential and Future Expansion

The creators of “Sightwalks” envision a future where this system is implemented in cities worldwide, providing greater autonomy and independence for visually impaired individuals. Gabriel Barrio, commercial manager of UNACEM, expressed his hope that the initiative will serve as an open-source idea, inspiring further innovation and collaboration in the field of accessibility.

We are happy to have developed this initiative and leave it as an open idea, in which it can be implemented in many cities in the world to help more and more autonomy to people who have visual deficiencies.
Gabriel Barrio,commercial manager of UNACEM

The Importance of Collaboration and Vision

José Rivera “Coyote” and Piérola,Creative Chairman and CCO of Circus gray Peru,underscored the importance of collaboration,client partnership,and allowing ideas to mature in order to achieve their full potential. He also highlighted the significance of such initiatives in Latin america and other regions facing similar challenges.

Beyond the awards that can be won, hopefully the idea reaches other countries to help more people…It seems significant to me to make the ideas,not by the awards,but by the brands and by the people.
José Rivera “Coyote” and Piérola,Creative Chairman and CCO of Circus Gray Peru