Case study · Guadalajara, Jalisco · Mexico
Guadalajara Incluyente —
a city and a university that tell themselves.
How the Guadalajara City Council, the University of Guadalajara (BPEJ, CUCS, CUCEA) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) deployed NaviLens across libraries, campuses, civic buildings and markets, with sign-language video and voice in 21+ languages.
IDB
Inter-American Development Bank · 5-year funding
BPEJ + CUCS + CUCEA
University of Guadalajara — library and university centres
21+
Languages with voice reading · sign-language video
18 m
Maximum code detection distance
Client
Guadalajara City Council
UdeG · IDB
Guadalajara Incluyente is the Guadalajara City Council programme, in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to guarantee the rights of people with disabilities. It comprises four projects: Mapea lo Accesible Guadalajara, NaviLens, Vi-Sor and Digital Accessibility.
The University of Guadalajara joined with three key venues: the Juan José Arreola State Public Library of Jalisco (BPEJ), the Health Sciences University Centre (CUCS) and the Economic and Administrative Sciences University Centre (CUCEA).
§ The challenge
An accessible city — from the city hall to the classroom.
- 01
One city, many public spaces
Guadalajara launched the “Guadalajara Incluyente” programme with the IDB — four projects, NaviLens among them — so that people with visual or hearing disabilities or autism can independently access municipal buildings, libraries, markets and university campuses.
- 02
UdeG libraries and campuses
The University of Guadalajara took NaviLens to CUCS (Health Sciences, 17 codes), CUCEA (Economic-Administrative) and BPEJ Juan José Arreola (36 cards), where people with visual, hearing or mobility disabilities study or consult.
- 03
One technology, two disabilities
The same code serves blind people (voice reading) and Deaf people: the VI-SOR programme feeds each code with a Mexican sign-language video, in addition to the text.
§ The solution
One card
and two disabilities.
Every space receives a card with a NaviLens code — detectable from up to 18 m, no aiming required — alongside the City Council, UdeG and IDB logos.
The NaviLens app reads the code and delivers the information by voice (21+ languages), text and Mexican sign-language video through the VI-SOR programme — the same gesture serves blind and Deaf people.
§ Timeline
From City Hall to the assistive-tech room.
- Term start
Guadalajara City Council — IDB agreement
Guadalajara signs with the Inter-American Development Bank the “Guadalajara Incluyente” programme, encompassing four projects: Mapea lo Accesible Guadalajara, NaviLens, Vi-Sor and Digital Accessibility. No cost to the municipality; IDB funding for five years.
- Citywide rollout
Paseo Alcalde, City Hall, Mercado Corona, CADI…
NaviLens codes are installed at Paseo Fray Antonio Alcalde, City Hall, Mercado Corona, tourist kiosks, the State Supreme Court of Justice and the Centre for Autism and Care for People with Disabilities (CADI), with more than 50 codes at CADI alone to support people with autism.
- 8 Aug 2024
CUCS · University of Guadalajara
The Health Sciences University Centre unveils NaviLens with 17 codes. Rector Dr José Francisco Muñoz Valle notes that 41 people with a disability or specific health condition study at CUCS. Coordinated by Mtra. Marcela Páramo Ortega, Dr Verónica Beatriz Panduro Espinoza (CUCS Academic Secretary) and the “Mujer Proyecta” collective.
- 24 Aug 2024
Hotel pilot — Hotel Hampton
A pilot is run at Hotel Hampton Guadalajara with 20 custom codes, the programme's first case in the private sector.
- 22 Oct 2024
Juan José Arreola State Public Library · BPEJ
BPEJ “Juan José Arreola” launches “Biblioteca Incluyente, NaviLens”: 36 cards — 16 general (toilets, lifts, common areas) and 20 specific (Assistive-Tech Area, collections, bibliographic references). Information available in 21 languages. Chaired by director José Trinidad Padilla López and Dr Sergio López Ruelas (UdeG University Library System).
§ What they said
Voices of the Guadalajara Incluyente programme.
“La llegada de NaviLens a nuestras instalaciones permite dar un paso crucial hacia un acceso más inclusivo para todas y todos, en especial para aquellas personas con algún grado de discapacidad visual que, en muchas ocasiones, enfrentan barreras para disfrutar plenamente de los servicios que ofrecemos.”
“NaviLens nos da la oportunidad, a las bibliotecas y a los bibliotecarios, de hacer más accesible el conocimiento. Para esto trabajamos, para volver más accesible el conocimiento y los servicios que resguarda y ofrece este recinto.”
“Es un programa que logramos tener sin ningún costo para el ayuntamiento de Guadalajara, porque fue a través de un convenio con el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo desde inicio de esta administración. Estos códigos se implementaron en Paseo Alcalde, en el Palacio Municipal, en el Mercado Corona y en el Centro de Autismo y Atención a Personas con Discapacidad (CADI).”
§ Results
A city and a university anyone can navigate.
5 UdeG/Gov venues
BPEJ, CUCS, CUCEA, State Supreme Court and the municipal network
100%
Of signposted spaces also accessible to Deaf people via VI-SOR
€0
Cost to the City Council — 5-year IDB funding
“It is a symbol of our vision of a diverse community with equal and fair opportunities — a place where every person, regardless of their condition, feels this space is their own.”
§ And your centre?
Every classroom and clinic can be guided by voice.
Tell us about your centre, your journeys and your users. We’ll show you how NaviLens would make wayfinding easier.
