Wayfinding with Impaired Vision: Preferences for Cues, Strategies, and Aids (Part I— Perspectives from Visually Impaired Individuals)

Abstract

People with visual impairments (VIPs) can participate in orientation and mobility (O&M) training to learn how to navigate to their desired goal locations. During O&M training, personal wayfinding preferences with regard to cue use and wayfinding strategy choice are taken into account. However, there is still a lack of clarity about which factors shape VIPs’ wayfinding experiences and how. Background/Objectives: In this study, we mapped individual differences in preferred sensory modality (both orientation- and mobility-related), and classified which personal and environmental factors are relevant for these preferences. Methods: To this end, interviews were conducted with eleven Dutch VIPs whose impairment varied in onset, ontology, and severity. Results: We concluded from our thematic analysis that hearing is the most important sensory modality to VIPs for orientation purposes, although it varies per person how and how often other resources are relied upon (i.e., other sensory modalities, existing knowledge of an environment, help from others, or navigational aids). Additionally, environmental factors such as weather conditions, crowdedness, and familiarity of the environment influence if, how, and which sensory modalities are employed. These preferences and strategies might be mediated by individual differences in priorities and needs pertaining to energy management. Conclusions: We discuss how the current findings could be of interest to orientation and mobility instructors when choosing a training strategy for individual clients.