NaviLens: The colourful accessible QR code 

You might have noticed that we use QR codes with a colourful border – do you know why? 

They are accessible QR codes, and they have 2 parts to their design: 

• A standard QR code that can be used in the usual way, normally with the camera on a phone or other small device. 

• A NaviLens border – you need a NaviLens app to access the QR code this way. 

 What NaviLens is  

NaviLens is an alternative to QR codes, designed to be much more accessible for blind people and people with low vision. They can also be helpful for anyone who finds it hard to get their device to focus on standard QR codes.  

Navilens codes can be picked up: 

• from much further away 

• on the move 

• from an angle 

• in low lighting 

• without focus. 

So this makes it much easier for users to get the information they need.  

NaviLens codes cannot be used with a standard phone camera – they can only be accessed by the NaviLens app, which is free to download. 

 Why we use accessible QR codes that include NaviLens codes 

We do this for 2 reasons: 

1. to make our work more accessible 

1. to show you an accessibility feature that you might not have seen before – and make you curious about it. 

 Other places you might see NaviLens codes 

• On public transport systems in Spain.

• On some food packaging in the UK, including Kellogg’s cereals.  

 The best part: NaviLens accessible QR codes are FREE and easy to create and use! 

 How to find out more 

• read about accessible QR codes on the NaviLens website 

• read about what NaviLens is and how it works 

• download the NaviLens app and try it for yourself.  

And if you do decide to try using an accessible QR code, let us know how it goes!