Investigating the Use of Accessibility Standards in Radio

Frequency-Based Indoor Navigation: Challenges and Opportunities in

the Development of Solutions for Visually Impaired Individuals

Elvis Maranh

, Andr

e Ara

ujo

, Alenilton Silva

and Fabio Coutinho

Computing Institute, Federal University of Alagoas, Macei

o, Brazil

{ebm, andre.araujo, ass, fabio}@ic.ufal.br

Keywords:

Accessibility, Indoor Navigation, Visually Impaired, Beacon Technology, Radio Frequency-Based

Technologies.

Abstract:

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has revolutionized various aspects of modern life, signiﬁ-

cantly impacting accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. Among these advancements, radio

frequency-based technologies have emerged as promising tools for enhancing indoor navigation and accessi-

bility. This study aims to understand how these technologies have improved accessibility, focusing on using

Beacon devices to facilitate navigation for visually impaired individuals in indoor environments. A literature

review explores various applications and approaches, examining whether and how accessibility requirements,

as deﬁned by relevant norms and standards, have been integrated into the development of indoor location sys-

tems using radio frequency technologies. To address gaps identiﬁed in the current research, we propose good

practices to improve the development life cycle of computing solutions for indoor environments that utilize

Beacon technology. These practices ensure that solutions are effective, reliable, and inclusive, ultimately en-

hancing visually impaired individuals’ autonomy and quality of life.

1 INTRODUCTION

The widespread adoption of digital technologies in

society fundamentally reshapes how individuals inter-

act with the world. These technologies inﬂuence daily

routines and how people communicate, learn, and

access essential services (Schwab and Davis, 2019).

Digital technologies in various aspects of modern life

have made the internet, smartphones, and other mo-

bile devices fundamental tools for accessing informa-

tion and education, among other things (Kapur, 2018).

In this context, digital technologies are essential tools

that increase the chances of inclusion for people with

disabilities. However, this audience still faces dif-

ﬁculties using these beneﬁts and accessing assistive

technologies (Mavrou et al., 2017).

People with disabilities (PwD) are individuals

who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or

sensory impairments that, when combined with var-

ious obstacles, may impede their full and effective

https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0907-7549

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8321-2268

https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2989-3996

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9892-023X

participation in society on an equal basis with oth-

ers (Nogueira, 2023). There has been a notable in-

crease in the development of software exclusively de-

signed to promote the autonomy of the PwD popu-

lation. These software programs fall under the cat-

egory of Assistive Technologies (AT), which consist

of tools, devices, equipment, and computer solutions

developed to help individuals with disabilities over-

come physical, cognitive, and communicative barriers

(de Souza Franc¸a et al., 2022; Vieira et al., 2023).

Given that 15% of the world’s population has a

disability (Nations, 2018) and the World Health Orga-

nization projects that by 2030, 2 billion people will re-

quire access to at least one assistive technology, with

only one in ten people with disabilities currently hav-

ing access to the assistive technologies they need (Or-

ganization and Fund, 2022), the demand in the assis-

tive software market has signiﬁcantly increased. One

of the main challenges is to ensure that the assistive

technologies being developed and implemented ad-

here to accessibility standards and guidelines and con-

sider the speciﬁc needs of the populations they are in-

tended for (Acosta-Vargas et al., 2018). For people

with visual impairments, indoor navigation systems

that cater to their needs are critical.

Maranhão, E., Araújo, A., Silva, A. and Coutinho, F.

Investigating the Use of Accessibility Standards in Radio Frequency-Based Indoor Navigation: Challenges and Opportunities in the Development of Solutions for Visually Impaired Individuals.

DOI: 10.5220/0012986200003825

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Web Information Systems and Technologies (WEBIST 2024), pages 80-89

ISBN: 978-989-758-718-4; ISSN: 2184-3252

An indoor navigation system is a solution that

helps to locate objects inside environments where the

traditional satellite navigation system does not work

well (S

a, 2023). These systems are crucial for aiding

people with visual impairments, but they come with

signiﬁcant challenges that directly affect the auton-

omy and experience of these users indoors (Alqah-

tani et al., 2018). The limitations of traditional vi-

sual guidance resources have created an opportunity

for technological innovations to provide solutions tai-

lored to this speciﬁc community (Paiva et al., 2021).

Radio frequency-based tools, such as Beacon, have

emerged as promising alternatives for enabling acces-

sibility in indoor environments. Beacon is known for

its versatility and efﬁciency in providing precise real-

time location information. However, its application in

this context requires a careful, user-centered approach

to ensure that the software is adapted to the reality of

the intended users (Leng et al., 2019; Upadhyay and

Balakrishnan, 2021).

Recent studies emphasize the need for more effec-

tive and inclusive indoor navigation systems, as indi-

cated by (Torres-Sospedra and Huerta, 2019), (Birsan

et al., 2019), and (Elsanhoury et al., 2022). An analy-

sis of these approaches exposes inconsistencies, par-

ticularly in the variable efﬁciency of Bluetooth sys-

tems, as discussed by (Alqahtani et al., 2018) and

(Yang et al., 2020).

Investigating accessibility standards in indoor en-

vironments that use Beacon devices is essential due

to these technologies’ critical role in facilitating nav-

igation for visually impaired individuals. While Bea-

cons offer promising solutions for indoor positioning

and real-time location information, their effectiveness

is contingent upon adherence to established accessi-

bility standards. These standards ensure that the tech-

nology is functional but also usable and inclusive for

its intended audience. Without investigation and in-

tegration of these standards, there is a risk of devel-

oping solutions that fail to meet the needs of visually

impaired users, potentially exacerbating existing ac-

cessibility barriers. Therefore, thoroughly examining

how accessibility requirements are incorporated into

Beacon-based indoor navigation systems is necessary

to promote equitable access and enhance the auton-

omy and safety of visually impaired individuals in in-

door environments.

This study aims to understand how radio

frequency-based technologies have been utilized to

enhance accessibility. Speciﬁcally, a literature review

was conducted to explore various applications and

approaches of these technologies, focusing on using

Beacon devices to facilitate accessibility for visually

impaired individuals in indoor environments. Addi-

tionally, the study examines whether and how acces-

sibility requirements, as deﬁned by relevant norms

and standards, have been integrated into the devel-

opment of indoor location systems using radio fre-

quency technologies. To further contribute to the re-

search ﬁeld, we propose good practices to improve the

development life cycle of computing solutions for in-

door environments that leverage Beacon technology.

The other sections of this article are organized as

follows. Section 2 presents a theoretical framework

with basic concepts on the subject. Section 3 de-

tails the analysis of the state of the art, setting out the

methodology used to collect the articles covered in the

study. Section 4 provides an overview of the state-of-

the-art research and discusses the main results, lead-

ing to a more in-depth study analysis and discussion.

Finally, Section 5 describes the ﬁnal considerations,

followed by suggestions for future research.

2 BACKGROUND

The background section of this study encompasses

three key areas: radio frequency technology, indoor

navigation, and beacon devices. It begins by explain-

ing radio frequency technology, detailing its princi-

ples and wide-ranging communication and data trans-

mission applications. The section then explores in-

door navigation, highlighting the challenges and ad-

vancements in guiding individuals through indoor

spaces. Finally, the focus shifts to beacon devices,

which use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to send sig-

nals to nearby devices, enabling precise indoor po-

sitioning and real-time, location-based services. In-

tegrating beacons and Bluetooth technology is par-

ticularly beneﬁcial for enhancing accessibility, espe-

cially for visually impaired individuals navigating in-

door environments.

2.1 Radiofrequency Technology

Radiofrequency (RF) is electromagnetic radiation that

travels through space through wave signals (Seybold,

2005). These signals have been used in various appli-

cations, such as wireless communications, radio fre-

quency identiﬁcation (RFID), navigation and location

systems, and wireless sensor networks (Lubna et al.,

2022). Radiofrequency enables data transmission

and communication between devices without physi-

cal wires, providing ﬂexibility and mobility in various

applications (Corr

ea et al., 2006). In recent years, ra-

dio frequency technology has developed rapidly due

to advancements in microelectronics, miniaturization

of components, increased spectral efﬁciency, and im-

Investigating the Use of Accessibility Standards in Radio Frequency-Based Indoor Navigation: Challenges and Opportunities in the

Development of Solutions for Visually Impaired Individuals

proved system reliability (Mota, 2016).

The technology has various applications across

various sectors, including wireless communications,

healthcare, agriculture, industrial automation, logis-

tics, transportation, and more (Alqahtani et al., 2018).

RF technology’s capability to wirelessly transmit data

over long distances makes it an excellent choice for

communication and monitoring systems in complex

and dynamic environments (Jondhale et al., 2016).

Despite its signiﬁcant beneﬁts, radio frequency

technology faces challenges in terms of security, sig-

nal interference, energy consumption, spectral man-

agement, and data privacy (Bhoyar et al., 2019).

Some research has proposed solutions to mitigate

these challenges, including advanced encryption tech-

niques, error correction algorithms, efﬁcient medium

access protocols, and power management methods

(Kırka

gac and Do

gruel, 2018).

In general, several trends in the use of radio fre-

quency technology have already been identiﬁed, in-

cluding the development of next-generation RF sys-

tems with greater bandwidth, lower power consump-

tion, and greater robustness against interference. In

addition, integrating RF with other emerging tech-

nologies, such as artiﬁcial intelligence, the Internet of

Things (IoT), and cloud computing, is expected fur-

ther to drive innovation and the development of ad-

vanced RF applications.

2.2 Indoor Navigation Systems

Indoor location refers to any closed environment

where GPS is not adequate. This includes shop-

ping malls, hospitals, airports, subways, and univer-

sity campuses. Due to the complex nature of indoor

spaces, there are challenges in developing indoor lo-

calization techniques. The main challenges include

small dimensions, limited line of sight, and obstacles

such as walls, equipment, humans, and doors (Sad-

owski and Spachos, 2018).

According to (Berz, 2015) and (Mrindoko and

Minga, 2016), indoor positioning systems (IPS) fo-

cusing on indoor environments present new chal-

lenges for communication and navigation systems.

This has increased demand for commercial applica-

tions in homes and organizations. IPS tracks, guides,

and provides services in various areas, including as-

sisting people with special needs, older people, and

children. Additionally, IPS is utilized to locate spe-

ciﬁc equipment and products in distribution centers.

In a study by (Murofushi et al., 2016), vari-

ous technologies, including optical, radio frequency,

sound, infrared, and magnetic, are used in sensing de-

vices for indoor location solutions. Different com-

panies and researchers have developed various in-

door positioning systems based on these technologies.

These systems typically utilize one speciﬁc technol-

ogy or a combination of technologies, creating a hy-

brid approach with limitations (Marza, 2022). The

primary goals of these systems are to provide real-

time target position information, estimate positions

within a reasonable time frame, and cover the re-

quired areas. Among the most widely used technolo-

gies in indoor positioning systems are optical sys-

tems, RFID, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. In literature, dif-

ferent terms are used to describe the process of area

discovery, such as position location, location detec-

tion, geolocation, or localization. Position location

refers to a system designed to narrow down the de-

sired location (Chipade et al., 2022).

The IPS structure includes software with an inter-

face illustrating the target’s location to users, a posi-

tioning sensory device providing real-time data about

the target’s relative position within a structure, and

a localization algorithm processing the data received

by the devices. This system is used to determine the

location of a mobile user in environments by acquir-

ing area information concerning reference positions

within a predeﬁned space (Al-Ammar et al., 2014).

2.3 Beacon Device

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless communication

technology widely used in various electronic devices.

According to a study by (Alexandr et al., 2020), Blue-

tooth provides a convenient and effective way to con-

nect nearby devices, including smartphones, head-

phones, speakers, and IoT (Internet of Things) de-

vices.

Beacons are small wireless devices that use Blue-

tooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to transmit sig-

nals to nearby devices, such as smartphones or tablets

(Yang and Tseng, 2022). When a beacon sends out a

BLE signal, compatible devices within range can re-

ceive it and use the information to provide context-

aware services. This connection between beacons

and Bluetooth enables precise indoor positioning and

navigation, allowing applications to deliver real-time,

location-based information (Balakrishna and Gross,

2020). This technology is particularly beneﬁcial for

visually impaired individuals as it can guide them

through indoor spaces, offering audio cues and alerts

to help them navigate more independently and safely.

Integrating Beacons and Bluetooth thus presents a

powerful tool for enhancing accessibility in various

indoor environments (Spachos and Plataniotis, 2020).

In indoor navigation systems, BLE is often used

with beacon devices to locate the user. BLE beacons

WEBIST 2024 - 20th International Conference on Web Information Systems and Technologies

emit low-energy radio signals that can be detected by

mobile devices such as smartphones. This determines

the user’s position and provides audio guidance in-

doors. This technology offers greater precision, low

energy consumption, and easy deployment of many

nodes (Spachos and Plataniotis, 2020). Many ap-

proaches for indoor positioning have been explored,

focusing on the reception signal strength indicator

(RSSI). Beacons are crucial in estimating the user’s

position within an environment by transmitting radio

signals detected by nearby mobile devices (Yang and

Tseng, 2022).

RSSI analysis, which measures the power of the

received signal in dBm, is crucial for determining the

distance between the transmitter and receiver. This

technique, known as trilateration, estimates the user’s

location when at least three beacons are present (Abd

Shukur Ja’afar et al., 2023). Although BLE offers nu-

merous advantages, such as low power consumption

and relatively low cost, it poses challenges, includ-

ing range limitations and signal interference in dense

environments. Nevertheless, as technology advances,

BLE is a popular choice for various IoT and indoor

navigation applications (Biju et al., 2022).

3 LITERATURE REVIEW

PROCESS

This section investigates approaches to indoor posi-

tioning systems (IPS), considering devices that use

Beacons and indoor localization to help visually im-

paired people. Section 3.1 presents the methodolog-

ical path adopted in the research, while Section 3.2

discusses the systematic literature review, in which

the selected works will be presented according to the

acceptance criteria adopted.

3.1 Methodology

The research methodology for this work involved re-

viewing and analyzing the latest developments in the

ﬁeld. The goal was to understand the current knowl-

edge, approaches, technologies, and other relevant

factors related to the deﬁned topic. Two main ob-

jectives were set. The ﬁrst objective was to explore

radio frequency-based technologies’ various applica-

tions and approaches, speciﬁcally focusing on Bea-

con devices in indoor environments. This was fol-

lowed by examining the characteristics, functional-

ities, and limitations of indoor localization systems

based on Beacon technology and identifying patterns

and emerging trends in accessibility for visually im-

paired individuals. A comprehensive search string

was developed based on the deﬁned objectives to

achieve this, as illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Search string.

An automated search strategy provided compre-

hensive and effective feedback on the subject, consid-

ering the main computer science and software engi-

neering data repositories. The data sources selected

cover most papers presented at computing confer-

ences, workshops, and journals.

The search strategy yielded a total of two hundred

and eighty-seven studies. Each study underwent a se-

lection analysis based on inclusion and exclusion cri-

teria, focusing on studies related to the deﬁned theme

and published between 2017 and 2023. We excluded

duplicate articles, short papers, and any articles un-

related to the research despite being returned by the

search strategy. The articles’ titles, abstracts, and re-

search objectives were initially reviewed, followed by

a comprehensive reading of the remaining articles.

Subsequently, only seventeen relevant articles were

chosen for inclusion in this systematic review.

Investigating the Use of Accessibility Standards in Radio Frequency-Based Indoor Navigation: Challenges and Opportunities in the

Development of Solutions for Visually Impaired Individuals

3.2 Analysis of the State-of-the-Art

The increasing need for assistive technologies empha-

sizes the importance of developing high-quality soft-

ware. Our research has found seventeen studies that

can be grouped into three categories: those focusing

on indoor positioning systems (IPS), studies centered

on Beacon devices, and experiments involving inte-

grating Beacon devices with indoor navigation sys-

tems. This classiﬁcation showcases commonalities

among the studies and facilitates the identiﬁcation of

overlaps and connections.

Six articles were grouped to review works related

to indoor positioning system approaches. The papers

by (Pasricha, 2020), (Birsan et al., 2019), (Torres-

Sospedra and Huerta, 2019), (Hameed and Ahmed,

2018), and (Alqahtani et al., 2018), presented compar-

ative analyses to compare and categorize indoor nav-

igation methods, highlighting their advantages and

disadvantages. (Hameed and Ahmed, 2018) identi-

ﬁed Bluetooth beacons as the most cost-effective op-

tion for identifying indoor positions in a Smart Shop-

ping Cart system and a shopping app with a naviga-

tion module. (Elsanhoury et al., 2022) focused on

indoor location systems using UWB technology, dis-

cussing the advantages, challenges, and potential ap-

plications. These studies aim to enhance the under-

standing and implementation of effective indoor posi-

tioning solutions while acknowledging that indoor po-

sitioning remains a challenging area that requires fur-

ther investigation and validation of technologies for

improved indoor localization accuracy.

In the realm of Beacon device studies, six differ-

ent studies were examined. For example, (Gorovyi

et al., 2017) experimented to create an indoor naviga-

tion system using Bluetooth beacons. The main com-

ponents and steps needed to ensure accurate user loca-

tion were highlighted. On the other hand, (Alexandr

et al., 2020) analyzed indoor experiments to deter-

mine and evaluate the accuracy of mobile devices in

terms of location. This analysis considered equipment

such as Bluetooth 5.0 BLE Beacons for positioning

the devices, Bluetooth 5.0 sensors in mobile devices

to read the BLE Beacons, and laptops to receive and

process the collected data.

In a study by (Kaewpinjai et al., 2020), the use of

existing Wi-Fi access points and the addition of Blue-

tooth beacons were proposed to enhance the accuracy

of the localization system. The results showed that

this approach signiﬁcantly improved localization ac-

curacy compared to using Wi-Fi signals only. On av-

erage, there was a 23 percent reduction in localization

error, demonstrating the effectiveness of the hybrid

approach. In contrast, (Obreja et al., 2018) focused on

exploring Beacon technology in a controlled environ-

ment. They developed and implemented a localiza-

tion algorithm based on data collected from an evalua-

tion of the solution’s accuracy and effectiveness, with

promising results in terms of accuracy.

A study by (Yang et al., 2020) focused on im-

proving indoor positioning accuracy in complex en-

vironments. The research involved comparing high-

precision indoor positioning algorithms based on

Bluetooth low-power technology. This aimed to as-

sess the feasibility and effectiveness of two location

ﬁngerprinting algorithms. Similarly, (Singh et al.,

2018) introduced a voice input and text-to-speech

tool to assist visually impaired individuals with au-

tonomous and efﬁcient navigation. The tool was aug-

mented with appropriate security measures to safe-

guard user data and ensure privacy during indoor nav-

igation. The authors compared various techniques

and products in this domain and found that Beacon

technology outperformed other technologies regard-

ing accessibility and accuracy.

Five suitable works dealt with experiments involv-

ing the end user, speciﬁcally people with visual im-

pairments. One of these works is a study by (Upad-

hyay and Balakrishnan, 2021), which presents a new

solution to address orientation and accessibility needs

in a hospital setting, focusing on user experience. The

project included the active participation of visually

impaired individuals in developing and testing the ap-

plication. The app’s effectiveness in providing crucial

information and enhancing the navigation experience

for visually impaired users was assessed through on-

site evaluations.

In (Leng et al., 2019), iGuide was presented, an

application focused on promoting walking autonomy

that relied on implementing beacons to communicate

with the application. Experiments were conducted to

determine the most suitable BLE packet protocol, us-

ing data ﬁtting optimization with a non-linear least

squares optimizer. The study results showed improve-

ments in user mobility, indicating that the system

could help them familiarize themselves with the envi-

ronment and reduce navigation time. In the study by

(Kishore et al., 2017), a solution was presented based

on passenger data from the Valley Transportation Au-

thority (VTA) to extract contextual information about

the passenger’s environment. A mobile application

with a user interface based on voice, gestures, and

voice feedback was developed, allowing users with

special needs to plan their trips and interact with the

application based on implementing Beacons in trans-

portation stations, buses, and trains.

In the study by (Calle-Jimenez et al., 2018), they

developed an indoor localization solution to assess lo-

WEBIST 2024 - 20th International Conference on Web Information Systems and Technologies

cation accuracy based on the number of access points

(APs) used. The authors achieved outstanding results

using Wi-Fi networks and the innovative hybrid ap-

proach of the network Beacon Analyzer. This helped

verify the accuracy of location calculations and im-

proved the independent mobility and orientation of vi-

sually impaired individuals indoors, enabling them to

move around more autonomously and safely.

(Asakawa et al., 2019) developed an interactive

museum experience to enable visually impaired in-

dividuals to visit museums independently. They uti-

lized a smartphone-based navigation application in-

corporating Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons

and smartphone sensors to accurately locate users

within the museum. Nineteen visually impaired indi-

viduals participated in the experiment and tested the

developed solution. The participants successfully fol-

lowed the intended path in the museum and expressed

high satisfaction and increased motivation to visit mu-

seums more frequently, alone or with companions.

4 DISCUSSION

For a more speciﬁc analysis, Figure 2 presents a cate-

gorization considering ﬁve thematic sub-areas. These

sub-areas consider the contributions into which the

corresponding papers were classiﬁed. The categories

drawn up from the seventeen articles selected were:

• Proposed Improvements (PI): Studies present-

ing conceptual proposals encompass improve-

ments in implementing Beacon.

• Evaluation of Tools (ET): Studies that broadly

evaluate software applications integrating Beacon

with indoor navigation systems.

• Proposal of New Solutions (PNS): This category

includes works that propose new computer solu-

tions that use Beacons implemented in a computer

solution for a speciﬁc scenario.

• Involvement of Visually Impaired People

(IVIP): Studies that considered the participation

of visually impaired end users at some stage of

their methodology.

• Technical Accessibility Standards (TAS): Stud-

ies that consider guidelines and principles of good

practice pointed out by technical accessibility

standards in the scope of their experiment.

Out of the seventeen articles reviewed, only two did

not include an evaluation of existing tools on the mar-

ket. Most articles broadly assessed the quality of

assistive software applications that integrate Beacon

technology within indoor environments.

Of the studies reviewed in the state-of-the-art

analysis, twelve proposed new computer solutions

utilizing Beacons within speciﬁc domains. However,

only six of these studies involved end users, speciﬁ-

cally visually impaired individuals, at any stage of the

process. Additionally, only one of the seventeen ana-

lyzed articles was concerned about adhering to tech-

nical accessibility standards. These ﬁndings highlight

gaps in the current state of the art, which will be dis-

cussed below.

After analyzing the selected studies, we mapped

out various characteristics, functionalities, and limita-

tions of indoor location systems integrated with Bea-

con devices, identifying challenges and opportunities

in accessibility for people with visual impairments.

The review of seventeen relevant articles identiﬁed

gaps and challenges in the development processes of

computing solutions designed for visually impaired

individuals using Beacons within indoor technolo-

gies. These gaps include:

• Low presence of studies that incorporate ac-

cessibility guidelines and principles: This lack

of application of technical accessibility standards

reveals a signiﬁcant gap that raises crucial ques-

tions about the real commitment to digital inclu-

sion and the well-being of people with disabili-

ties when considering the development scenario

of computer tools and solutions that support this

public. Thus, considering that the lack of adher-

ence to accessibility standards can limit the effec-

tiveness of assistive software, preventing it from

reaching its full potential to promote autonomy,

independence, and social participation for people

with disabilities, this study aims to investigate and

specify a set of good practices for the develop-

ment of indoor localization systems with the inte-

gration of Beacon devices based on technical ac-

cessibility standards.

• Low customization and continuous adaptation:

The existing solutions for visually impaired users

consider their preferences and needs during devel-

opment. However, there is little discussion about

how these solutions can be personalized and con-

tinually adapted to meet each user’s speciﬁc needs

over time. This gap requires further research to

understand how solutions can be customized ef-

fectively for individual users and how they can be

adapted to remain useful and effective. It’s impor-

tant to note that not all needs can be met, so the

research also needs to focus on making these as-

sistive technologies more customizable and deﬁn-

ing their possibilities more clearly.

Investigating the Use of Accessibility Standards in Radio Frequency-Based Indoor Navigation: Challenges and Opportunities in the

Development of Solutions for Visually Impaired Individuals

Figure 2: Categorization of selected studies.

5 GOOD PRACTICES PROPOSAL

To address the gaps identiﬁed in the current state of

the art, we propose a set of good practices to en-

hance the development life cycle of computing solu-

tions for indoor environments utilizing Beacon tech-

nology, as shown in the Figure 3. These practices

ensure that solutions are effective, reliable, inclusive,

and accessible to all users, particularly those with vi-

sual impairments. By following these guidelines, de-

velopers can create robust, user-centered indoor navi-

gation systems that adhere to accessibility standards

and best practices, ultimately improving the auton-

omy and quality of life for visually impaired individ-

uals in various indoor settings.

• Inclusive Design: Include users with disabilities,

particularly individuals with visual impairments,

in every step of the design and testing process.

This will guarantee that the solution meets their

speciﬁc needs and preferences. Conduct user re-

search to comprehend their challenges and needs.

Involve these users in usability testing to collect

feedback and continuously improve. This method

enhances usability and builds a stronger sense of

ownership and trust among the users.

• Clear and Consistent Signage: Ensure that all

digital and physical signage is easy to read and

understand. Use high-contrast colors (e.g., white

text on a black background) and large, readable

fonts to make text and symbols visible to low-

vision users. Consistency in design, such as us-

ing the same symbols and terminology through-

out the system, helps users quickly recognize and

interpret information, reducing cognitive load and

improving navigation efﬁciency.

• Audible and Tactile Feedback: Navigation

instructions and feedback should be provided

through multiple sensory channels. Audible cues

such as spoken directions, beeps, or tones can

indicate changes in direction or important land-

marks. Tactile feedback through vibrations or

braille displays is also important. This multi-

sensory approach is crucial for visually impaired

users, as it compensates for the lack of visual in-

formation and enhances their situational aware-

ness.

• Multimodal Interaction: Support various inter-

action methods to accommodate different user

preferences and abilities. This can include voice

commands for hands-free operation, touchscreens

with haptic feedback for tactile interaction, and

compatibility with assistive devices like screen

readers and braille displays. Providing multiple

ways to interact with the system makes it acces-

sible to a broader range of users, including those

with multiple disabilities.

WEBIST 2024 - 20th International Conference on Web Information Systems and Technologies

Figure 3: Good practices proposal.

• Battery Optimization: Optimize the power con-

sumption of Beacons and user devices to en-

sure reliable, long-lasting performance. This in-

volves using energy-efﬁcient hardware, imple-

menting power-saving modes, and ensuring that

Beacons transmit signals only when necessary.

Long battery life is crucial for users who rely on

these devices for daily navigation and cannot af-

ford frequent recharging or maintenance.

• Compliance with Accessibility Standards: Fol-

low established accessibility guidelines such as

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG),

Section 508, and EN 301 549. These standards

provide best practices for making technology ac-

cessible to all users. Ensure the system’s inter-

faces are perceivable, operable, understandable,

and robust, catering to various disabilities. Com-

pliance not only ensures legal adherence but also

enhances usability and inclusivity.

Adopting these best practices in developing assis-

tive solutions not only ensures compliance with

accessibility standards but also enhances the qual-

ity and reliability of the solutions. This promotes

autonomy for people with disabilities in complex

spaces such as shopping malls, hospitals, and air-

ports.

6 CONCLUSION

In this study, we emphasized the crucial role of radio

frequency-based technologies, especially Beacon de-

vices, in improving indoor navigation and accessibil-

ity for visually impaired individuals. These technolo-

gies, particularly Beacon devices, have the potential

to facilitate navigation for visually impaired individu-

als, offering real-time location information and guid-

ance in indoor environments where traditional GPS

systems are ineffective. A comprehensive literature

review explored various applications and approaches

of these technologies. The review also examined

whether and how accessibility requirements, as de-

ﬁned by relevant norms and standards, have been in-

tegrated into the development of indoor location sys-

tems using radio frequency technologies. Our analy-

sis of seventeen selected studies revealed several gaps

and challenges in the current research.

Notably, there is a low presence of studies that

incorporate accessibility guidelines and principles of

good practice within their experimental scope. Many

existing solutions do not fully consider the needs of

visually impaired users or adhere to established tech-

nical standards for accessibility. To address these

gaps, we propose good practices to improve the devel-

opment life cycle of computing solutions for indoor

environments utilizing Beacon technology. These

Investigating the Use of Accessibility Standards in Radio Frequency-Based Indoor Navigation: Challenges and Opportunities in the

Development of Solutions for Visually Impaired Individuals

practices ensure that solutions are effective, reliable,

and inclusive, ultimately enhancing visually impaired

individuals’ autonomy and quality of life.

Future research should focus on incorporating

these accessibility standards more comprehensively

into the development process. Additionally, more

user-centered studies that involve visually impaired

individuals throughout the design and testing phases

are needed.

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