Audible Signage
What Is Audible Signage?
Children’s National Hospital is proud to offer audible signage at our main campus for those who are blind or visually impaired and for individuals whose primary language is not English.
The free app provides audio instructions to help with orientation and signage around the hospital.
We hope the accessible wayfinding technology in the RightHear app makes navigating the hospital easier for all patients and their families.
Download the RightHear App
Download and install the RightHear app in the App Store or Google Play. Use the free BearAir Wi-Fi at the hospital to improve your download speed.
How Do I Use the RightHear App?
Connect to Audible Signage Beacons
- Make sure your Bluetooth is on. The app connects to “beacons” throughout the hospital. The small beacons use Bluetooth to detect your phone and communicate nearby signage.
- Once you open the app, go to Settings. Make sure Indoor Navigation is switched on and Outdoor Navigation is switched off. Having both on can cause issues with accuracy.
- The app does not need Wi-Fi or internet to detect the beacons.
Use the App to Help You Get Oriented at the Hospital
- After checking in at the front desk, use the app’s audible signage to navigate the hospital. There are 35 available languages to choose from.
- Click the Current Location button to understand where you are. Click the Around Me button and move your phone 360 degrees to hear your distance from points of interest, such as elevators, restrooms, exits and other important locations.
- The status message at the bottom of the screen shows which way you are facing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the app cost money or require me to make an account?
The RightHear app is free to download and use. The app does not require users to create an account and does not collect any data from users.
Can I customize the audible signage?
Yes, you can change the speed, preferred language and notification alerts within the app.
Who can use this app?
The RightHear app is designed for blind or visually impaired patient families, but others may find it useful to read navigation signage in other languages. The app is available in 35 languages.
Does the app give directions to a specific clinic?
No, the app does not include a map or give step-by-step navigation. Families should always check in at the front desk for directions to clinics. Families can ask any Children’s National staff for help finding their clinic location.
What do I do if the app says my accuracy is low?
If the app says your accuracy is low, hold your phone flat and move it in a figure eight to reset the phone’s internal direction.
Do I have to be at Children’s National to use the app?
No, the app can be downloaded and used outside of Children’s National. RightHear is used by businesses across the country to make wayfinding easier for the blind and visually impaired community.
Do I need Wi-Fi to use the app? Does the app use my phone’s internet data?
The app needs Bluetooth to operate, but no internet or Wi-Fi is required.
What languages are available?
The app offers 35 languages to choose from, including Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish and more.
More questions?
You can learn more about RightHear by visiting their website.
Helpful Videos
RightHear offers this playlist of 16 tutorial videos to help you as you get started with using the app.