WeWalk

Blind travellers pair the WeWALK cane with GPS to detect obstacles when city infrastructure isn't tactile.

ENABLE Model location

• Post-launch Compensations → Use Assistive Technologies

What it is

People who are blind use the WeWALK cane, pairing it with GPS, to detect overhead and environmental obstacles, particularly when navigating city infrastructure that lacks sufficient inclsuve design, consistent tactile guidance, or detectable warnings. As an assistive technology (AT), it serves as a tool that individuals employ to interact with their environments, access information, or complete tasks. People often adapt AT to overcome barriers that should ideally have been prevented by inherent accessible design.

Blind individuals pair the WeWALK smart cane with GPS-enabled navigation tools to detect overhead and environmental obstacles -- especially in urban areas where tactile paving or detectable warnings are inconsistent. This assistive tool amplifies a standard white cane’s feedback, offering ultrasonic obstacle alerts and turn‑by‑turn navigation that people depend on when the physical environment doesn’t offer sufficient inclusive design.

Why it matters

While tools like WeWALK enable greater independence, they must not be used as a substitute for proper infrastructure -- or as an excuse to shift responsibility away from inclusive design. Accessible mobility should ideally be built into the design of sidewalks, crossings, and public transit zones. When such features are missing or poorly maintained -- like absent tactile paving or inconsistent audible signals -- tools like WeWALK become essential lifelines for independence. The device enables users to stay oriented, identify obstacles above cane tip level, and maintain route clarity when infrastructure falls short. At the same time, its necessity highlights ongoing gaps in inclusive planning and design.

Real-world example

Users describe relying on WeWALK for obstacle detection above waist height -- such as tree branches, unmarked signs, or construction barriers -- while retaining traditional cane feedback for ground-based hazards. The cane’s Bluetooth navigation features, powered by smartphone GPS and integration with transit data (e.g. Moovit), offer continuous context when tactile cues are absent. These capabilities are designed to compensate for gaps in urban design that exclude fully accessible travel.

What care sounds like

• "Our city planning processes must include clear mandates for tactile paving and detectable warnings at all new sidewalks, intersections, and public transit areas."
• "We are budgeting for the long-term maintenance of all accessible features in public spaces, ensuring they remain functional and detectable over time."
• "We ensure that all our infrastructure designs are reviewed by users with diverse mobility and sensory needs from the outset, incorporating their feedback before any construction begins."
• "Accessibility is not an optional add-on; it is a foundational responsibility in how we build and maintain our public spaces for everyone."

What neglect sounds like

• "Designing for tactile guidance isn't a core deliverable for this project; we'll add it later if we have time."
• "We only designed the public space layout for typical pedestrians; people with visual impairments can just use their own methods to navigate."
• "The visual cues on the ground are self-explanatory for most; there's no need for additional tactile indicators."
• "Nobody has complained directly about the lack of tactile paving in this specific area, so it's not a priority to address."

What compensation sounds like

• "I use my smart cane to find the edge of the sidewalk and avoid obstacles because the city hasn't installed proper tactile paving at this intersection."
• "It takes me significantly longer to plan my routes and travel, as I constantly have to use my tools to scan for obstacles that should be clearly marked."
• "I had to acquire this specialized cane to feel safe and independent navigating my neighborhood, while others can walk freely without needing any additional tools."
• "Despite the challenges in the environment, this tool allows me to maintain my independence and participate in activities I otherwise couldn't, providing me with essential access."