Navigating Independently with Indigo

Indigo is an accessible GPS application designed to help users confidently navigate on their own. Accessible navigation apps like Indigo have been developing for years. Mike May, developer of the Indigo app, has had a hand in the growth and creation of many of these programs over the years. After all of his work in the field, May believes Indigo finally brings together all the necessary pieces of accessible navigation in one easy-to-use application. 

The foundation of Indigo comes from the popular indoor mapping app, GoodMaps. After acquiring the GoodMaps software, Mike May and the APH team have spent almost a year fine-tuning the system to create something robust and reliable for indoor and outdoor use. “A key factor in any app is providing the right balance of information. Every situation, and user, is different. Having the ability to adjust that balance is key, and I think Indigo is pretty good at it,” said May. Indigo offers users the ability to customize just how much detail they want in their navigation journey, from simple turn announcements to immersive descriptions of passing points of interest. 

Features and Modes 

One of Indigo’s most exciting and unique features is the inclusion of points of interest. Points of interest are popular businesses, historical landmarks, noteworthy monuments, and more, that are announced to the user as they walk. Whether you are following a direction path, or simply roaming, users can learn about their surroundings along their journey. Users can also manually input their own points of interest, such as favorite restaurants, places of work, and so much more. Indigo also includes directions to stops for public transit, and information on the distance to bus stops, train stations, and more.  

For users planning their trips out the night prior, Indigo includes a virtual mode that walks users through their directions before ever stepping outside. “I always say know before you go,” said May. “If you understand where you are going, approximately where you are going to turn, and the details about your trip, you will be much more effective when you actually go. As a blind person, you have to pay a lot of attention to your cane, or your dog, and to the environment. You do not have much concentration left to be listening to and processing your directions.” Virtual mode is there to help alleviate the auditory processing load of independent navigation.  

When traveling outside of traditional directions or marked streets, Indigo has also included breadcrumb mode. “If you’re camping, or if you’re at a college campus and the streets are not on the map and you want to create your own routes, you can easily do that,” said May. Breadcrumb mode works through automatic breadcrumbs when the mode is enabled, as well as shaking your phone to create your own breadcrumb at any particular point.  

Is Indigo for You? 

Indigo can be beneficial to any age group of blind or low vision individuals. Whether you are looking for a tool for independent travel, or the parent of a young child who is blind or low vision, Indigo was made with you in mind. “Indigo provides location information and location literacy. We hear a lot about Braille literacy, which is important, but location literacy often gets overlooked. A lot of people think a blind person is just going to be guided by a sighted person. No. Location literacy enhances our independence and enriches our experience of being out and about,” said May. For parents and peers of blind or low vision individuals, May recommends using Indigo as you walk or drive in the car, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to discern where they are, and where they are going.  

Indigo is available on APH’s website, in the iOS App Store, as well as the Google Play Store.