Suchergebnisse

Copies of two tactile maps—a relatively simple map of the Boston rapid transit system and a detailed map of the Boston-Cambridge area—were given to each of 18 visually impaired travelers. These individuals agreed to plan and travel an unfamiliar route using the maps and to report back on their experiences to peripatologists and map makers. Both maps proved helpful in travel planning and in gaining a better understanding of the spatial relationships of the city and of the relationships of major transportation links.

This study investigated whether extended training in an acoustically rich environment could enhance the spatial updating ability of 12 adults who were congenitally blind. After training, the adults' distance perception from a home-base location and novel locations was superior to that of a sighted control group, whereas their direction perception was comparable.

Simple tactile route configurations were explored by blindfolded sighted subjects, congenitally blind subjects, and adventitiously blinded subjects. Subjects had to choose matching configurations from sets of alternatives. Configurations were constructed with single, narrow double, or wide double lines. Subject groups generally explored single line configurations faster than double line configurations. Single lines also appeared to enhance subjects' ability to form accurate mental representations. Congenitally blind subjects took less time to explore and form representations of the spatial configurations, but memory for the configurations was comparable across all subject groups.

To facilitate appropriate line choice for tactile graphic displays, 42 visually impaired subjects traced four types of tactile lines in a simple display (without intersections), and in a complex display (having intersections). The lines were single smooth, double smooth (1/4 in. [. 635 cm] spacing), single rough, and double rough. Measures were taken of time to complete the task, "behaviors" other than the continuous tracing of a line, and "restarts," in which subjects required assistance to complete the task. The results indicate which line types may be more readily traced in displays with and without intersections.

This study documented that blind pedestrians have considerable difficulty locating crosswalks, aligning to cross, determining the onset of the walk interval, maintaining a straight crossing path, and completing crossings before the onset of perpendicular traffic at complex signalized intersections. Revised techniques and strategies are suggested for alleviating these difficulties.

Visually impaired people often rely on mass transportation to maximize the benefits derivable from independent community living. Yet many of these individuals regularly encounter great difficulty while attempting to use urban transit systems. This article examines the concept of accessible environments for the visually impaired and then describes the role of the federal government in encouraging local transit authorities to comply with Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that requires barrier-free access to all users. It concludes with a summary of the particular problems experienced by visually handicapped travelers as they negotiate the rapid rail mode of transit.