Traveleyes, a company that specializes in organizing overseas trips for the visually impaired, now provides its clients with HumanWare’s Trekker Talking GPS system. Recognized internationally for helping blind people move around, Trekker will offer more autonomy and independence to travellers using Traveleyes by enabling them to enjoy the places they visit even more.

The mission of Traveleyes, founded in 2005 by Amar Latif, who is himself visually impaired, is to offer people with visual impairment a wonderful travel experience without the usual restrictions and limitations. Before the emergence of Traveleyes, very few customized holidays were available for visually impaired people. Those that did exist were generally restrictive in terms of destinations, and often tended to be inflexible and very expensive. With Traveleyes, the visually impaired world traveller is no longer required to “tag along” as either a welcome or tolerated appendage to the peer-group holiday.

“I strongly believe that blind people do not just have to follow in the wake of the sighted, but that they can indeed be trailblazers,” Amar Latif said.

The GPS Trekker system seamlessly integrates into Traveleyes’ services, offering more than just a simple tour, but rather allowing blind tourists to actively and independently participate. Thus, with Trekker, Traveleyes globetrotters will have even more freedom and autonomy when visiting tourist sites. For example, they can make their way from their hotel to a museum by relying on the information provided by Trekker.

Introduced by HumanWare in 2003, Trekker is a talking GPS system that uses digital maps to help blind persons find their way everywhere in the world. The users can pinpoint exactly where they are, learn about area attractions, and find out in real time how to get to specific destinations. Fitting in the palm of the hand, Trekker offers the visually impaired greater freedom, raising their confidence in their ability to travel. It also helps them access and enjoy the most valuable and interesting opportunities their surroundings have to offer.

“Accessible travel guides, GPS technology and electronic tactile maps can now open up new horizons to the visually impaired traveller,” Latif said.
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