By Louis Svehla
PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga. | This city is the first U.S. city to roll out Hear2There citywide, expanding accessibility for blind and visually impaired residents and visitors.
SpartansFirst provides the Hear2There accessibility initiative for a 30-month free initial rollout deployment, expanding accessibility for blind and visually impaired residents and visitors.
This rollout is the first of its kind in the United States. Peachtree Corners was chosen because of the city’s commitment to innovation, smart city technology, and inclusivity.
SpartansFirst is led by Dennis C. Hayes, of Spartanburg, S.C., who founded Hayes Microcomputer Products, which for many years was headquartered in Technology Park Atlanta in Peachtree Corners. Hayes Microcomputer Products was widely credited with creating the on- ramp to the Information Superhighway, by allowing computers to connect to a modem’s hook-up to the internet. During the 1980s and 1990s, Hayes market-leading dial-up modem technology worked with Apple computers, IBM-compatible systems, and virtually every major personal computer platform to provide internet access of the era while the company was based in Peachtree Corners.
The Hear2There platform, delivers real-time, location-based audio information to help users independently navigate indoor and outdoor environments. Through a combination of GPS and strategically placed smart beacons, the system provides spoken guidance about entrances, exits, restrooms, elevators, and other points of interest within participating venues.
The City of Peachtree Corners is supporting the initiative as part of its broader commitment to innovation and inclusive Smart City technologies. Initial early adopters of the program will include:
- Peachtree Corners City Hall
- Peachtree Corners Town Green at Town Center
- Curiosity Lab Innovation Center
- The Forum Peachtree Corners
- Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA
- Hilton Atlanta Northeast
- Mary Our Queen Catholic Church
Additional businesses and organizations throughout the city will have the opportunity to join the program as the rollout expands.
Through a donation from SpartansFirst, participating businesses and venues will receive the accessibility technology and service free of charge for the first 30 months. After the initial period, participating organizations may choose to continue the service on a subscription basis. The Hear2There service is always free to the smartphone user by downloading the free app.
The philanthropic model behind the initiative is designed to accelerate adoption of accessibility technology in communities by removing cost barriers and allowing businesses to experience the benefits of the platform firsthand.
People representing SpartansFirst and Hear2There will attend multiple community meetings in April and May to provide information about this announcement and online presentations will be scheduled before two in-person meetings at the city hall on May 21 at 9 am and 2 pm. To sign up for one of these two meetings, business venues in Peachtree Corners can obtain tickets at the following links:
Space is limited, so order your free ticket if you plan to attend before they run out.
About SpartansFirst is a Spartanburg, S.C. based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting public safety, technology innovation, and accessibility. The organization supports regional growth and entrepreneurship while helping communities adopt emerging technologies that improve everyday life.
About Hear2There: H2T began with David Furukawa, a medical professional whose journey took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa. Determined not to let vision loss define his future, he built a successful career in medicine and worked at the Emory Eye Center. David partnered with his longtime friend Chris Webb, an engineer and entrepreneur. Together, they founded Foresight Augmented Reality and later created H2T, dedicated to revolutionizing accessibility through advanced orientation technology.
- Have a comment? Click here to send an email.
