Northern Illinois University
Ethics and Compliance Office
Office of the President

Download NaviLens, NIU's free wayfinding app.

How It Works

1. Open the app and scan your surroundings with your phone.
2. The app will pick up any QR codes in the area, including:
   • Up to 40 feet away
   • While you’re moving
   • At an angle
   • In low lighting
3. When the app detects a QR code, it announces and displays the information in the code and how far away it is, updating as you move toward it. The information will be in the language of your phone.

NaviLens Basics (7-minute YouTube video)

Who Should Use It?

Anyone can use it. It was developed especially for people who are:

• Blind or visually impaired
• Deaf or hard of hearing who have difficulty asking a hearing person for directions
• Not native English speakers whose phone is in their preferred language
• Not familiar with a building

About NaviLens at NIU

Signs and other wayfinding cues aren't accessible to people who are blind or have low vision, so we're implementing NaviLens, a new type of wayfinding system. This innovative technology allows users to independently locate restrooms, elevators, stairs, exits, auditoriums and computer labs by using an app to scan their surroundings for special QR codes.

We’re proud to be one of the first institutions of higher education to implement this innovative technology, which is already being used in transit systems and airports, streets and buildings in cities around the world.

Phase One

For the first phase of implementation, we selected buildings that are more likely to have visitors from the general public as well as Huskies with visual disabilities. The QR codes identify and guide users to stairs, elevators, exits, restrooms, auditoriums and computer labs.

Phase Two

NaviLens has been installed in over 50 buildings. Find them on the campus map. In partnership with DeKalb Public Transit bus system, a QR code above each bus door displays and announces the bus number.

Customizable QR Codes

Customizable QR codes can include text, images, links and video. They are being created for buildings and include information on offices, departments and facilities in the building.

The QR content is easy to change for different purposes and events. Contact it-accessibility@niu.edu for more information and to get one.