UNIVERSAL DESIGN WAYFINDING SYSTEM FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED

此应用程序寻求进一步支持开发 专门用于设施内部建筑的寻路系统 公共设施(如办公楼、交通工具 设施、医院等)这将增加这些项目的可及性 为视障用户提供的设施，并作为环境 视力丧失的康复干预。这个计算机化的系统， 名为探路者，使用人工语音、声音与用户交互 识别、电子触摸式平板电脑和高对比度视觉 CRT显示器。体现了通用设计的原则，旨在 对所有用户都有用，包括视力正常的人，该系统还将 增加轮椅使用者和听障人士的无障碍设施 人。第一阶段的结果证明了盲人用户的可行性 不熟悉曼哈顿写字楼的一层，并展示了 该系统能够培训没有使用经验的用户 在没有人工干预的情况下使用的视觉或触觉地图。第二阶段 研究将解决进一步发展物理设计的问题 产品、用户培训模块、触觉和语音识别 界面，以及低视力的视觉显示。另外， 用于构建地图和标牌设计的计算机编程工具 将开发和测试专业人员。该产品，以及一个 教学包将在第三阶段商业化。

This application seeks further support for the development of a wayfinding system specifically for building interiors of the facilities of public accommodations (e.g. office buildings, transportation facilities, hospitals, etc.) that will increase accessibility of those facilities to visually impaired users and serve as an environmental rehabilitative intervention for vision loss. This computerized system, called Pathfinder, interacts with users using artificial speech, voice recognition, electronic tactile touch tablet, and a high contrast visual CRT display. Embodying principles of universal design and intended to be useful for all users, including fully-sighted, the system will also increase accessibility for wheelchair users and hearing-impaired persons. Phase I results demonstrated feasibility with blind users unfamiliar with one floor of a Manhattan office building, and showed that the system is capable of training users with no experience with visual or tactile maps on its use without human intervention. Phase II research will address further development of the physical design of the product, the user training module, the tactile and voice recognition interfaces, and the visual display for low vision. Additionally, computer programming tools for building map and signage design professionals will be developed and tested. The product, along with an instructional package will be commercialized in Phase III.