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At Schneider Electric, we are dedicated to fostering a welcoming and safe environment where every employee can thrive. As part of our ambition to be the most inclusive and caring company in the world, we recognize the importance of advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. Our commitment involves raising awareness, dismantling stigmas, and promoting equal treatment and opportunities for all.
This summer, we took a significant step forward in enhancing accessibility by installing the RightHear accessible indoor orientation system at our North American headquarters in Boston. This innovative technology assists individuals who are blind or have low vision in navigating indoor spaces, demonstrating our dedication to creating a more inclusive workplace.
Installing the RightHear accessible indoor orientation system
On Thursday, August 22, 2024, Schneider Electric’s North American headquarters at the Boston City Hub marked a significant step forward in accessibility by installing the RightHear accessible indoor orientation system. This innovative system, designed to assist blind and low vision individuals in navigating indoor spaces, was proposed and led by Rick Blair, Senior Principal, Digital Accessibility Program Manager and Disability, Accessibility, and Allies Employee Resource Network (DAA ERN) Business Impact Leader. It was installed by Idan Meir, Co-Founder and CEO of RightHear, alongside Rick Blair and Paulette Ricciardone, the Boston City Hub site manager and sponsored by the Schneider Electric Disability, Accessibility, and Allies Employee Resource Network (DAA ERN).
Our DAA ERN was launched to connect employees and identify ways to improve accessibility and cultivate a more inclusive culture. We invite professionals with disabilities, advocates, and allies to join us in raising awareness and understanding the unique needs of this community. Read more about the DAA ERN in this blog.
How does the RightHear system work?
The RightHear system includes a free mobile app, Bluetooth sensors (beacons) placed throughout a building, and an administration application for managing directional messages.
System Overview:
Bluetooth Sensors: Strategically installed by the RightHear team, these beacons provide location-based information.
Directional Messages: Information is entered in a cloud application, detailing the surroundings relative to each beacon for all eight cardinal directions (north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west, and northwest).
User Experience:
Users download the RightHear app on their phone or tablet and enter a building equipped with RightHear beacons. As they move around, the app connects to the beacons. By orienting their device in different directions, users receive audio messages about what lies ahead, including distances and details about nearby locations.
For instance, if a user exits an elevator and points their phone towards the front desk, the app may announce: “Front desk is 50 feet ahead. A security door is 20 feet away; visitors must check in at the front desk before accessing the rest of the building.”
This system enhances navigation within indoor spaces, providing valuable information to users as they explore their environment.
Installation process at the Boston City Hub
Initially, the plan was to install six Bluetooth beacons on the floor, allowing for flexibility in repositioning if necessary. However, during the installation, it became clear that eight beacons were required to adequately cover the space. Each beacon was strategically placed to ensure optimal coverage and accuracy.
Writing the location and direction text for each beacon presented an unexpected challenge. It was noted that crafting this text was more of an art than a science, akin to writing alternative text for images. The descriptions needed to be both precise and intuitive to provide clear guidance to users.
One issue that arose during the installation involved a beacon placed near an electrical closet. This location appeared to interfere with the compass feature on mobile devices, necessitating the beacon’s relocation to maintain the system’s accuracy and reliability.
Testing and final adjustments
Throughout the process, Idan and Paulette occasionally asked Rick to test beacon placements and navigational text to ensure they met the provided useful information and did not interfere with other beacons. Idan used a tablet connected to a cloud-based dashboard, allowing for real-time adjustments to beacon names, location information, and directional guidance. This flexibility was crucial in fine-tuning the system to meet the specific needs of the Boston City Hub.
After the installation was complete, a final walkthrough was conducted to test the entire system. During this walkthrough, minor tweaks were made to the information provided by the beacons, ensuring that all details were as accurate and helpful as possible. Once everything was finalized, the beacons were permanently mounted.
“With the system installed, I can now confidently get off the elevators, find the doorbell to gain visitor access, and navigate to the kitchen or Clara Barton room, all without sighted assistance.”
– Rick Blair, Senior Principal, Digital Accessibility Program Manager and DAA ERN Business Impact Leader
Acknowledgments and future plans
The installation of the RightHear system was made possible through the support of the US and Canada Disability, Accessibility, and Allies Employee Resource Network, which funded both the installation and the first year of licensing costs. Their contribution was instrumental in bringing this technology to the Boston City Hub.
With the system now in place, navigating the office has become significantly easier for individuals with visual impairments. The ability to independently access key areas such as elevators, the doorbell for visitor access, the kitchen, and the Clara Barton room represents a major improvement in workplace accessibility.
Paulette and Rick have access to the RightHear administrator dashboard, allowing Schneider Electric to make any necessary modifications to the beacon text as they become more familiar with the system. This adaptability ensures that the system can evolve to meet the changing needs of the office.
Looking ahead, there are plans to invite blind and low vision colleagues based in Boston to the site to provide additional feedback. This input will be valuable in further refining the system and ensuring it fully meets the needs of its users.
The project team hopes that additional Schneider locations will implement orientation systems like RightHear for both current and future employees and visitors.
Fostering an inclusive workplace and improving accessibility
As we approach December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we reaffirm our commitment to creating an inclusive culture. Our DAA ERN continues to connect employees and identify ways to improve accessibility. We invite professionals with disabilities, advocates, and allies to join us in raising awareness and understanding the unique needs of this community.
We are proud of the positive changes being driven by our ERN, which has contributed to Schneider Electric being recognized in Disability:IN’s esteemed list of the “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion” in the United States. This year, we achieved a top score of 100 on the Disability Equality Index® – an increase of 10 points from last year.
The Disability Equality Index is the world’s most comprehensive benchmarking tool for Fortune 1000 scope companies to measure disability workplace inclusion inside their organization and to assess performance across industry sectors.
While we are honored by this acknowledgment, we recognize that there is still work ahead. Embracing our ongoing journey of inclusion and care within and beyond our organization is crucial as we strive to create a lasting impact. The Disability Equality Index serves as a guiding tool, offering insights and directions for further improving our disability inclusion practices. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of all individuals and foster an inclusive workplace for everyone.
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About the Authors
Rick Blair is a Senior Principal, Digital Accessibility Program Manager at Schneider Electric. He has been working in the field of industrial automation since graduating from college with bachelor degrees in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering and a master’s in Electrical Engineering, first in motion control, and then, after joining the square D company in 1987, working with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and industrial networking. Rick has published numerous papers and holds several patents. Since losing his eyesight later in life, he has been educating himself on the topic of accessibility and fiercely advocating for it within Schneider Electric, and is the Business Impact Leader for the Disability, Accessibility, and Allies Employee Resource Network (DAA ERN).
Janelle Morris is a Marketing Communication Manager and Channel Development for North America, Pro-face by Schneider Electric. Janelle has worked with Pro-face by Schneider Electric for 15 years where she manages marketing efforts and nurtures the development of partners to build awareness and market share throughout the US, Mexico, and Canada. Beyond the everyday responsibilities within her position, Janelle volunteers as the Internal Communications Lead for the DAA ERN within Schneider Electric and supports her community as a volunteer at the local Humane Society helping animals find their forever families.
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