Design of an Enhanced Disc Golf Game to Facilitate Players with Visual Impairments

Abstract

Participation in recreational activities is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle; however, obesity rates are climbing, particularly among individuals with visual impairments (VI). One of the contributing factors to the high obesity rates is the lack of accessible physical activities available for people with disabilities to participate in. Many of the current activities suggested to individuals with VI require teams and organization, and do not support inclusion between individuals with VI and those without. One solution to this is to create a mobile system for disc golf that facilitates accessibility for individuals with VI. Disc golf has become increasingly popular since its inception in the 1960s, and much of its popularity is likely due to its accessibility; with limited required equipment, free public courses, and a gentle learning curve for beginners, disc golf is an easy activity to become involved in. It would be an ideal activity to address physical activity and social needs for individuals with VI; however, the game is highly dependent on visual cues for locating goal points, avoiding obstacles, and finding one’s disc. This project aims to extend accessibility of disc golf by designing a theoretical auditory notification and GPS mapping system. This system is intended to be integrated into existing disc golf courses without affecting how the game is currently played, and its implementation would allow both individuals with and without VI to play the game simultaneously with one another.