Spoken messages as auditory cues for orientation in promoting indoor travel and activity by persons with multiple disabilities

Contributions of sensation and perception studies to the design of artificial environments

It is argued that knowledge of cognitive psychology, and hence also of sensation and perception, one of its branches, is indispensable when one aims at improving our artificial environment. Four examples of sensation and perception studies are described. Firstly, an experiment was discussed to design a postal code format that can be used accurately in terms of the capacity of short-term visual memory. The second example describes a perceptual conflict between visual and bodily (kinesthetic/proprioceptive) sensations that arises as a result of wrongly designing buildings. In the third example it is shown that vibrotactual displays should present frequencies that trigger the Pacinian system in the skin if people have to make quick and accurate decisions. Finally, a study of a simple acoustic orientation system that can promote indoor travel and activity by blind people was described.

Two women with multiple disabilities sharing an acoustic orientation system and traveling together to indoor destinations

This study assessed whether two women with total blindness and profound intellectual disability could share an acoustic orientation system and travel together simultaneously to common indoor destinations to perform occupational and vocational activities. The orientation system provided acoustic cues which indicated the direction to the destinations. Analysis of data indicated that the women were successful in sharing the system and could reach the destinations independently.

An unobtrusive system for helping a person with blindness and intellectual disability travel in indoor areas

A system causing no environmental disturbance was employed for helping a woman with blindness and intellectual disability travel in indoor areas. The system provided encouragement and praise while the woman moved in the correct direction and a buzzer sound in the case of incorrect direction through earpieces. The results showed that the woman learned to use the system and traveled successfully.