Waymap Helps D.C. Transit Become More Accessible for Visually Impaired, Proving the Potential for AI Inclusivity

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is about to get a lot more inclusive. For the past four years, WMATA and Waymap have been working together to create an auditory map of D.C.’s transit system, which includes 11,000 bus stops and 98 rail stations.

Waymap, a navigational app designed for people with visual impairments, uses proprietary SmartStep™ technology, which converts “raw, unstructured, noisy information” through AI-driven algorithms that convert into precise step length.

Since Waymap doesn’t rely on GPS, it doesn’t need satellite precision to determine a user’s location, so the app has an accuracy of within 3 feet, even if the user is underground.

Waymap CEO Celso Zuccollo explained that the core mission of Waymap is to help address the daily challenge many visually impaired Americans face every single day: ensuring public safety.

Watch on

“That’s one of the real things that prevents people with disabilities from getting out there. It’s the confidence that you’ll make it to your destination, and that, regardless of what happens along the journey, you’ll make it back,” he said.

Traditional navigation systems rely on Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or mobile data. But Waymap’s AI-powered algorithm uses built-in smartphone sensors — such as the accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, and barometer — to determine a user’s location and heading by analyzing movement, direction, and elevation.

As the tech does its work, the goal for the end user is to have a “hands-free, heads-up” experience, so they can rely solely on auditory cues while staying engaged with their surroundings and the people around them.

The progress in accessibility made by companies like Waymap shows what’s possible with AI, but the industry as a whole still has a long way to go. Too often, accessibility is treated as an afterthought rather than a fundamental design principle.

Dr. Tom Pey, the Founder and President of Waymap, understands this firsthand. After losing his vision at 39, he created Waymap to address the accessibility gaps he experienced.

“If we look at the hardware around AI, a lot of it is visual, and it ignores the needs of blind people and others who have difficulty interpreting visual imagery,” he said. “Those people, like me and others, we’re just excluded.”

But the technology absolutely can exist on a grand scale, said Mike Paciello, Chief Accessibility Officer of AudioEye, a digital accessibility solution that leverages AI-driven automation and expert testers to find and fix accessibility issues on websites.

The problem is not just one issue, but multiple.

According to the United Nations, a driving reason is the lack of awareness and understanding among leaders about the needs of people with disabilities. There’s also less user feedback: While companies may be acknowledging the importance of engaging with the disability community, many haven’t set up proper channels to actually gather that feedback.

Beyond lack of awareness, AI itself has historically struggled with bias.

There are countless examples but consider the COMPAS algorithm. Used in the U.S. to predict the likelihood of criminals reoffending, it was found to be biased against Black defendants, incorrectly labeling them as higher risk than their white counterparts.

“AI must be developed with input from the disability community to ensure it is equitable, representative, and truly accessible,” Paciello said. “By prioritizing diversity in data and ethical AI development, we can create a future where technology empowers all individuals equally.”

The world is witnessing a global AI race where everyone’s trying to outsmart the next competitor: to be faster, smarter, and more efficient. But who is this really benefiting? In the rush to advance, are we leaving behind the people who need AI the most?

With billions being invested in AI development, many companies are focused on scaling up their systems and dominating the Tech Cold War. It’s like what renowned speculative cyberpunk writer William Gibson said: “The future is already here — it’s just not very evenly distributed.”

“The key is to ensure that AI continues to evolve with accessibility as a core principle — because when technology is accessible and usable, everyone benefits,” Paciello said. “Innovations like voice cloning for individuals with ALS and personalized learning tools for students with dyslexia highlight AI’s potential to preserve identity and foster accessibility in education and professional spaces.”

One notable invention is the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, which recently hit 2 million sales.

The glasses have a camera, microphone, and AI voice assistant that can read text aloud, answer questions, recognize objects, and provide relevant, real-time information, like the time and weather. They also connect to the Be My Eyes platform, which lets users call a volunteer for visual assistance via the glasses’ camera.

Paciello praised the technology, adding, “I hope more companies will follow suit.”

Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. But one thing is certain: Without a shift in focus, developers aren’t tapping into AI’s full potential. The technology exists — it’s just up to those in power to make it a priority.