Explore UCD

UCD Home >

NaviLens - Accessible Information and Campus Navigation

What is NaviLens?

NaviLens is a free application that uses colourful QR codes to assist users in finding key services and locations around the UCD campus. 

Offering audio-cues, written text and vibrations to indicate distances and directions, NaviLens helps users to independently navigate the world around them. This is particularly important for internal spaces that cannot be easily captured by tools such as Google Maps.

NaviLens tags contain key information on how the service can support students, opening hours for student services, ways to get in touch, and helpful information links.

How do I get started with NaviLens?

There are 2 NaviLens apps. These are available for Apple and Android devices.

  • NaviLens Go - we recommend this app for sighted users. This version of the app offers the option of augmented-reality directions using your phone’s camera as well as full read-aloud functionality and customisable access to tag information.
  • NaviLens - this version of the app has a full suite of accessibility features for users with visual impairments and interacts fully with Apple VoiceOver.

(opens in a new window)Download your preferred NaviLens app here. 

Once you have the app:

  1. Open the app.
  2. Point your phone camera in the direction you intend to go, any tags in the area will be listed. 
  3. Follow navigation guidance for your chosen tag.
  4. Click on the tag on your screen to get more service information.

More information about NaviLens

NaviLens is for anyone who needs a little bit of assistance to find key campus landmarks, or would like some additional information on student support services.

NaviLens has key accessibility features such as vibrations and audio cues that make it very helpful for users who have visual impairments, however it has benefits for everyone! Including users with communication difficulties and users whose first language is not English: NaviLens’ information is automatically translated into the language of the user’s phone.

As a University for All, it’s important that we can all find our way around the campus environment in a way that works for us and get the support we need as we need it. NaviLens is a flexible, accessible tool that offers customisable instructions to find key campus sites and provides direct access to support resources.