Aids for the blind



Steps leading from the East Gate
of the University of Hong Kong

One of the first features of buildings I noticed when I walked around the University of Hong Kong (HKU) were series of raised bumps on the landings of staircases. As I had not noticed these in the US, I wondered why they were there.  I came to the conclusion that they must be a form of anti-slip mat due to rainy weather. 

When I asked someone about them, I was informed that they are there for the blind.  When a blind person comes to these bumps they know that they need to make a decision.  I have found this feature throughout Hong Kong, on crosswalks, in the subway system among other places.  In addition to these bumps on stair landings there are also raised strips by the entrances of buildings as well as by elevators.

Raised bumps at the entrance to the HKU library



Traffic signal with speaker underneath. 
Small metal bumps outline the crosswalks. 


While they are hard to see in this photo, there are raised metal bumps that outline crosswalks.  The other feature which is at all crosswalks is a speaker which sounds a fast paced signal when pedestrians can cross and a slower paced signal then there is a don't walk sign.  While these signals are appearing in the US, there are at every crosswalk in Hong Kong.