The Cosumnes River Preserve has taken a groundbreaking step toward accessibility with the installation of RightHear, a new navigation and orientation system designed to support visitors who are blind or visually impaired. This is the first installation of the RightHear Accessibility system on the West Coast.
The system is now available along the Preserve’s Wetlands Walk Trail, an ADA-paved trail system, providing real-time audio guidance and location-based information to help visually impaired visitors navigate the area independently. Using a smartphone and the free RightHear app, visitors can access detailed audio descriptions about their surroundings, directions to key destinations like the Visitor Center and Wetlands Walk, and important updates about Preserve events and amenities.
The system supports up to 35 languages, making the Preserve even more accessible to the diverse community it serves.
"At the Cosumnes River Preserve, we believe that everyone should have equal access to the outdoors," said Amber Veselka, Recreation Supervisor with Sacramento County Regional Parks. "With the installation of RightHear, we are taking a significant stride towards creating an inclusive environment where all customers, including those who are blind or low vision, can enjoy the outdoors. The implementation of the RightHear system aligns with our ongoing dedication to social responsibility and community engagement."
Idan Meir, Co-Founder and CEO of RightHear, added:
“We are thrilled to collaborate with the Cosumnes River Preserve in their commitment to accessibility and inclusion. By embracing innovative solutions like RightHear, organizations and public spaces can create welcoming environments that cater to diverse visitor needs and preferences. Our mission is to make the whole world more accessible, one location at a time, and thanks to forward-thinking partners like Cosumnes River Preserve, our mission continues to move forward.”
The Cosumnes River Preserve, which spans more than 54,000 acres of protected floodplains, wetlands, valley oak riparian forests and vernal pool grasslands, continues to lead the way in creating spaces where everyone can experience nature independently and confidently.