This app shares prototype audio description from dozens of National Park Service sites throughout the country, translating their paper brochures into acoustic media, designed for people who are blind, visually impaired, print dyslexic, or who prefer learning through sound.
Everyone deserves full access to public discourse about public resources, and this University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH) research project has been created to serve diverse audiences, under the core principles of Universal Design.
Our sponsors include: The University of Hawaii, The National Park Service, Google, The American Council of the Blind, and The Hawaii-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit.
Core contributors include: Brett Oppegaard (Principal Investigator, UH), Megan Conway (Co-Pi, UH), Thomas Conway (Co-Pi, UH), Michele Hartley (Media Accessibility Coordinator, NPS), Joe Oppegaard (CTO, Montana Banana), Philipp Jordan (RA, UH), Tuyet Hayes (RA, UH), Sajja Koirala (RA, UH), and Terence Rose (RA, UH).
For more information, visit: www.unidescription.org
To contact the PI, email: brett.oppegaard@hawaii.edu
New Voice: A Game-Changer!Being totally blind, I often felt left out when visiting our national parks. Now, I can fully appreciate everything surrounding me. The new synthetic voice is a significant improvement.Moreover, the app's overview of all the national park sites has introduced me to places that I didn't even know existed. From hidden gems tucked away in remote corners to well-known landmarks, this app has something for everyone—whether you're planning a visit to a specific national park or simply seeking a virtual adventure.
Great accessibility app
Tarzuna
This app includes audio description of the national park brochures for most of the parks in the United States. It’s wonderful to have such an app. It would be even better if it were possible to download the descriptions and listen to them off-line. The computer voice is fine, but could use some tweaks, especially when reading telephone numbers. It would be much nicer listening to a real person. I like that this offers the option to experience just the description, or to also read the text (perhaps with your preferred text to voice options?).
More Than Just Frosting on the Cake
Blinky Banker
This app not only teaches the public about audio description and provides opportunities to contribute content, but it also serves as a vehicle for exploring treasured national parks where everyone can learn about them, and people who are blind or have low vision can gain access to all that information most people take for granted. talk about a win-win situation!
Helps in planning a visit
octobaby
By previewing a park’s brochure before I visit, I can make better choices about what I want to experience at the park. The app is easy to navigate and I can get more or less info depending on my interests.
Updated accessibility
Version 6.0.6
The developer, Seattle MB, LLC, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
Location
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
Seller
Seattle MB, LLC
Size
21.1 MB
Category
Travel
Compatibility
Requires iOS 13.0 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 13.0 or later.
iPad Requires iPadOS 13.0 or later.
iPod touch Requires iOS 13.0 or later.
Mac Requires macOS 11.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
