A Technology System to Help People With Intellectual Disability and Blindness Find Room Destinations During Indoor...

Area of Science:

• Assistive technology research
• Human-computer interaction
• Disability studies

Background:

• Individuals with severe intellectual disability and visual impairment face significant orientation and mobility challenges.
• Assistance is often required for indoor navigation, impacting independence.
• Technological solutions offer potential to mitigate these difficulties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel technology system designed to assist individuals with severe to profound intellectual disability and blindness.
• To assess the system's efficacy in helping users locate specific room destinations during indoor travel.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 7 adult participants with severe to profound intellectual disability and blindness.
• A technology system comprising a barcode reader, room-marking barcodes, a smartphone, and a specialized app.
• The app provided varied instructions based on participant location relative to room entrances.
• A nonconcurrent multiple baseline design across participants was employed.
• Each session included 7 trials focused on reaching and entering a designated room.

Main Results:

• Participants' correct navigation trials increased from 0-2 per session during baseline to 6-7 per session with the technology.
• The system demonstrated a substantial improvement in successful navigation outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The developed technology system shows promise as a valuable support tool.
• It may enhance independence and mobility for individuals with severe to profound intellectual disability and blindness.