Signage refers to information that is placed in the environment to aid people who need directional (location-based) information. Road signs are an example of this, as are room numbers, mall maps, etc. In this context, we refer to sophisticated technology designed to help individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or who cannot read print. Braille is an example of a well accepted signage system for blind travelers. We include Braille in this context, but primarily we are concerned with systems that talk and that provide potential access to additional information (for example, through the internet).

The leading signage company for the blind in North America is TalkingSigns. They maintain a list on their web site of all the locations where their systems are installed. Most significantly, Talking Signs has pioneered a wireless system called Pointlink for accessing web-based knowledge from loactions where talking signage is installed.

Maps themselves are getting smarter and more accessible as time flys by. Take a look at "Bats" a sophisticated map reading program being developed at the University of North Carolina.