A Virtual Map to Support People Who are Blind in Navigation through Real Spaces

Most of the spatial information needed by sighted people to construct cognitive maps of spaces is gathered through the visual channel. Unfortunately, people who are blind lack the ability to collect the required spatial information in advance. The use of virtual reality as a learning and rehabilitat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of special education technology 2011-12, Vol.26 (4), p.41-57
Main Authors: Lahav, Orly, Schloerb, David W., Kumar, Siddarth, Srinivasan, Mandayam A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adults
Assistive Technology
Blindness
Cognitive Mapping
Cognitive models
Computer Simulation
Massachusetts
Navigation
Satellite communications
Spatial Ability
Technological change
Virtual Classrooms
Virtual reality
Visually Impaired Mobility
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Summary:Most of the spatial information needed by sighted people to construct cognitive maps of spaces is gathered through the visual channel. Unfortunately, people who are blind lack the ability to collect the required spatial information in advance. The use of virtual reality as a learning and rehabilitation tool for people with disabilities has been on the rise in recent years. This research is based on the hypothesis that the advance supply of appropriate spatial information (perceptual and conceptual) through compensatory sensorial channels within a virtual environment may assist people who are blind in their anticipatory exploration and cognitive mapping of the unknown space. In this long-term research we developed and tested the BlindAid system that combines 3D audio with a Phantom® haptic interface to allow the user to explore a virtual map through a hand held stylus. The main goals of this research were to study the cognitive mapping process of people who are blind when exploring complex virtual maps and how they apply this spatial knowledge later in real space. The findings supply strong evidence that interaction with the BlindAid system by people who are blind provides a robust foundation for the participants' development of comprehensive cognitive maps of unknown real spaces.
ISSN:0162-6434
2381-3121
DOI:10.1177/016264341102600404