Listening to the Voice of People with Vision Impairment

Abstract

Extensive research developed assistive technologies (ATs) to improve mobility for people with vision impairment (PVI). However, a limited number of PVI rely on ATs for mobility. One of the factors contributing to the limited reliability and low acceptance of ATs is the developers’ failure to consider PVI mobility traits from the target group’s perspective. Many developers and researchers proposed solutions based on their knowledge and experiences, where PVI have been excluded from several studies except for limited involvement in testing phases. Accordingly, this study aims to bridge this gap by providing comprehensive information on PVIs’ behaviors, challenges, and requirements for safe and independent outdoor mobility. Therefore, a total of 15 participants with vision impairment were involved in semi-structured interviews and two observation sessions. One key finding highlights the need for AT that complements the conventional cane and overcomes its limitations, not substituting the cane. Moreover, the proposed AT should address instant mobility and future needs simultaneously. Overall, the study contributes to providing comprehensive knowledge on PVI safe and independent mobility traits, which assist AT developers to explore the potential barriers and facilitators of the adoption of ATs among PVIs and leads to develop effective and reliable ATs that meet their needs. For future work, the researchers will develop an AT that complements the conventional cane, supports instant mobility, and enhances cognitive map formation.