BART hosted a sensory orientation event Wednesday at the 19th Street Oakland station to educate low-vision individuals about using the train system. 

Staff demonstrated how blind and low-vision riders can use accessibility features on BART stations and trains.

These features include braille lettering and audio dictation at ticket vending machines, audible chimes to indicate when the station gates are open, and textured rectangles on the platforms that mark boarding areas. 

Inside the trains are intercoms marked with braille lettering, through which low-vision riders can ask for assistance from station agents.

Accessibility features for blind and low-vision riders include braille lettering on BART ticket vending machines (left) and raised rectangles indicating boarding areas on train platforms in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (Tanay Gokhale/Bay City News)
BART Transportation Supervisor David Riso demonstrates how riders can take refuge under the train platform if they accidentally fall onto the train tracks in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The demonstration was part of BART’s sensory orientation for blind and low-vision riders, held at the 19th Street Station. (Tanay Gokhale/Bay City News)

As part of the event, BART staff members also demonstrated how people can take refuge in a small space carved out under the lip of the train platform if they accidentally fall onto the tracks. 

Ryan Greene-Roesel, acting director of customer access and accessibility at BART, said that accessibility is one of the main priorities for staff.

“The value that we offer to the region,” said Greene-Roesel, “is to provide a transportation lifeline to people with disabilities who may not be able to drive. And so, BART can really offer folks independence and an ability to get around on their own.”