Independent travel is a source of anxiety for many blind people and indeed some avoid it altogether. The MoBIC (Mobility of Blind and Elderly People Interacting with Computers) project is developing a new type of travel aid based on the emerging technologles of geographical information systems (GIS) and the global positioning system (GPS) of satellites. The aid includes two components, a pre-journey planning system and a system which will assist travellers on journeys. The extensive involvement of potential users is an important feature of the project and this paper reports on the many Interviews conducted with blind people. Satisfaction with current levels of mobility, problems encountered in independent travel, the concept of safe travel and disorientation are all discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
' Foulke, E. (1971) "The perceptual basis for mobility". Research Bulletin of theAmerican Foundation for the Blind, 23, pp. 1-8.
2.
Jansson, G. (1995) (Ed.), Requirements for effective orientation and mobility by blind people. Royal National Institute for the Blind, London.
3.
Petrie, H.L. & Johnson, V. (1996) "Defining user requirements for a new navigational aid for blind travellers". Technical Report No. 3. Sensory Disabilities Research Unit, Hatfield.
4.
Petrie, H.L. , Johnson, V., Strothotte, T., Raab, A., Michel, R., Reichert, L. & Schalt, A. (1996). "MoBIC: an aid to increase the independent mobility of blind travellers". BJVI, 15.2, May 1997, pp. 63-66.
