Walking with a visual impairment Like a chicken after the beans: Walking with an app for the blind

Susanne Gasser, a 48-year-old physiotherapist who has been blind since the age of 22, recently completed a hike up Mount Rigi in Switzerland using a specialized navigation app called Myway Pro. The app, which relies on GPS technology, allows her to navigate independently while walking with her guide dog Mali and a cane. Despite its accuracy being within approximately 15 meters, Gasser emphasizes that she still depends heavily on her senses, her dog, and her mental acuity to ensure safe travel along the trail. She described the experience as feeling “like a chicken following grains of corn,” guided step by step through the landscape by the app’s audio cues and sensory feedback. The journey took place on the Chäppeliweg, one of several accessible trails in Switzerland made possible through collaboration between Procap Schweiz, the Swiss Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, and Schweizmobil. These organizations have worked together to create over 80 barrier-free hiking routes across the country, ensuring that individuals with disabilities can enjoy outdoor activities safely and independently. The Rigi route includes specific points marked with QR codes, allowing hikers to access additional information via an audioguide developed by Procap. This feature provides insights into local history, alpine culture, and personal stories from people living with visual or physical impairments. Gasser, who has traveled extensively around the world, including nearly two years in South America, has always maintained an active lifestyle despite her blindness. She once practiced paragliding and continues to ride horses. Her ability to hike independently is largely attributed to the combination of the Myway Pro app, her trained guide dog, and her own adaptability. However, she acknowledges that the app alone does not guarantee complete independence. “I never rely solely on GPS data,” she explained. Instead, she uses it alongside tactile and auditory signals to confirm her position and direction. The audioguide offered on the Rigi trail is designed for both visually impaired hikers and sighted visitors. It features interviews and narratives from individuals with disabilities, providing a unique perspective on how they interact with their environment. For example, Gasser shares her experiences navigating public transportation and adapting to different landscapes. These stories aim to foster greater understanding among sighted individuals, whom she refers to as “normalos.” The audioguide also highlights historical aspects of the region, such as the significance of the Rigi mountain in Swiss cultural heritage and its role in alpine agriculture. The accessibility initiatives on the Rigi trail reflect broader efforts to make outdoor recreation more inclusive. Schweizmobil, which maintains a database of accessible routes, works closely with local authorities and disability organizations to identify and improve paths for people with mobility challenges. These improvements include smoother surfaces, clearer signage, and designated rest areas. In addition, training programs for guide dogs and orientation sessions for new users of assistive technologies help ensure that all participants feel confident and secure during their hikes. Gasser’s experience underscores the importance of technological innovation in enhancing accessibility. While the Myway Pro app offers a level of autonomy previously unimaginable for blind hikers, it is clear that success depends on integrating multiple tools and support systems. Her reliance on Mali, her cane, and her own spatial awareness illustrates that technology alone cannot replace human assistance and environmental adaptation. As more trails become accessible and more people learn to use these resources effectively, the barriers faced by individuals with disabilities in outdoor settings continue to diminish.