A system and method for assisting a visually impaired user including an imaging device, a processing unit for receiving images from the imaging device and converting the images into signals for use by one or more controllers, and one or more vibro-tactile devices, wherein the one or more controllers activates one or more of the vibro-tactile devices in response to said signals received from the processing unit. The system preferably includes a lanyard to be worn around the neck of the user such that a first vibro-tactile device is arranged on the right side of the users neck, a second vibro-tactile device on a left side of the users neck, and a third vibro-tactile device at the back portion of the users neck. The vibro-tactile devices are activated depending on a determined position in front of the user of an object and the distance from the user to the object.
