UNIVERSAL DESIGN WAYFINDING SYSTEM FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED

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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.