VISA Sailing Compass

Scottish Tech Army

About this app

Visa helps visually impaired and blind sailors hold a course at sea — hands-free and eyes-free.

Lock in a target heading, then let Visa do the rest. The app speaks your deviation aloud ("6 degrees port") and plays tones that speed up as the boat drifts off course. Eyes on the horizon, ears on the compass.

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HOW IT WORKS
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1. SET YOUR HEADING
Pick a target course using large ±1° and ±10° buttons, or type it in directly.

2. SAIL ACTIVELY
Your live heading, deviation, and target are read aloud in real time. A deviation banner — "On Course" or "6° Deviation" — announces every change.

3. ADJUST ON THE GO
Tap "Update to current heading" to snap the target to where the bow is pointing now. Or enter Adjust mode for precise ±1°/±10° steps — audio pauses automatically so the voice doesn't talk over itself.

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AUDIO FEEDBACK MODES
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• Speech Only — spoken cues for every deviation change (default)
• Tones Only — beeps that increase in frequency as deviation grows
• Speech + Tones — both at once for maximum awareness

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BUILT FOR SCREEN READERS
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Visa is screen-reader-first. Every button, value, and state change is fully accessible with TalkBack — no visual interaction required. Large touch targets (48 dp minimum), high-contrast design, and audio-only operation mean you can sail with your phone in your pocket or mounted out of reach.

• All controls accessible via TalkBack gestures
• State changes announced automatically — no polling required
• Colour is never the only signal; every status has a text label
• Screen stays awake during active sailing

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PERMISSIONS
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• Location — used to calculate magnetic declination for accurate True North headings
• Sensors — accelerometer and magnetometer for tilt-compensated compass readings

No account required. No data sent to servers. Works offline.

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ABOUT
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Visa is the official app of VISA GB — the Visually Impaired Sailing Association — a not-for-profit organisation run by and for blind and visually impaired people, dedicated to empowerment through offshore sailing.

Built in collaboration with Scottish Tech Army volunteers.